Abhidhummu

Abhidhummu
Ihe Iheory Behind
Ihe Iheory Behind
Ihe Buddhu
Ihe Buddhu
'
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t Imile
t Imile


Table of Contents

Introduction to the Abhidhamma ............................................................1
Tipitaka
Value oI Abhidhamma
Traditional History oI the Abhidhamma
Character oI the Abhidhamma
Ultimate Realities (Paramattha)
Citta (Consciousness)
Mental States
Cetasikas (Mental Eactors)
Rpa (Non-mental Phenomena)
Nibbna
Conditions
How Does Thinking Occur? ..................................................................15
Bhavanga (LiIe-Continuum) Mental State
Sense-Door Process
Mind-Door Process
Sense-Door Process and Mind-Door Processes
When Thinking Goes Wrong
Recognizing Mental States................................................................... 26
Javana Quiz
Universal & Occasional Ethically Variable Cetasikas
Universal Unwholesome Mental Eactors
Greed-Rooted Mental States
Aversion-Rooted Mental States
Delusion-Rooted Mental States
Training to Avoid Unwholesome Mental States
Uprooting Akusala Mental States
Universal Wholesome Mental Eactors
Occasional Wholesome Mental Eactors
Summary oI Wholesome Mental Eactors



Table of Contents

Rpa Non-mental Phenomenon......................................................... 62
What Causes Groups oI Rpas to Arise
Right Understanding
What Happens When We Die .............................................................. 68
Rpa at Rebirth
Nma at Rebirth
Nma BeIore Rebirth
Nma AIter Rebirth
Kamma .................................................................................................. 73
Kamma by Way oI Eunction
Kamma by Order oI Ripening
Kamma by Time oI Ripening
Kamma by Place oI Ripening
Summary oI Kamma
31 Planes oI Existence ........................................................................... 79
Worlds, Planes and Spheres
Destruction oI the Worlds
WoeIul Planes (Apyabhmi)
Hell (Niraya)
Animal (Tiracchni Yoni)
Hungry Ghost (Peta)
Demon / Titan (Asura)
Happy Destinations (Sugati)
Human Plane oI Existence
Heaven oI the Eour Great Kings (Ctumahrjika)
Heaven oI the 33 Gods (Tvatimsa)
Heaven oI the Yma Gods (Yma)
Heaven oI the Contented Gods (Tusita)
Gods Delighting in Creation (Nimmnarati)
Gods Wielding Power over the Creation oI Others (Paranimmitavasavatti)
The Lower Nine Eine-Material Worlds (Rpa-loka)
Great Brahms (Mah Brahm), Ministers oI Brahm (Brahm-purohita) and
Retinue oI Brahm (Brahm-prisajja)

Table of Contents

31 Planes oI Existence (continued)
Gods oI Streaming Radiance (Abhassara Dev), Gods oI Unbounded Radiance
(Appamnbh Dev) and Gods oI Limited Radiance (Parittbh Dev)
Gods oI ReIulgent Glory (Subhakinna Dev), Gods oI Unbounded Glory
(Appamnsubha Dev) and Gods oI Limited Glory (Parittsubha Dev)
The Seven Eine-Material Realms Associated with the Eourth Jhna
EruitIul Gods (Vehapphala)
Conscious-less Beings (Asaa satta)
The Pure Abodes (Suddhvsa): Peerless Gods (Akanittha), Clear-Sighted Gods
(Sudass), BeautiIul Gods (Suddassa), Untroubled Gods (Atappa), Durable Gods
(Aviha)
Immaterial Worlds (Arpa-loka): Neither Perception nor Non-perception
(N`evasa-n`sayatana), Nothingness (Akicayatana), InIinite
Consciousness (Vinacyatana) and InIinite Space (Aksnacyatana)
Appendix I: Mental States.................................................................... 94
Sense Sphere (Kmvacara)
Eine Material Sphere (Rpavacara)
Immaterial Sphere (Arpavacara)
Supramundane (Lokuttara)
Appendix II: Mental States and Cetasikas..........................................100
Appendix III: Mental States and Beings.............................................102
Index.....................................................................................................104



Page 1
Introduction to the Abhidhamma
The word Abhidhamma means 'higher truth; it combines abhi (higher
or greater) and dhamma (reality or truth). The Abhidhamma explains
how the mind operates. The Buddha said, 'Avoid evil, do good, puriIy
the mind. This is the teaching oI the Buddhas. How can one puriIy
the mind iI one does not know how the mind operates?
Tipitaka
In Theravada Buddhism, the sacred books are called Tipitaka (three
baskets). All together, the Tipitaka is about eleven times the size oI
the Christian Bible
1
.

Tipitaka
Three Baskets
Tipitaka
Three Baskets
Abhidhamma
Ultimate
Teaching
Abhidhamma
Ultimate
Teaching
Vinaya
Authorative
Teaching
Vinaya
Authorative
Teaching
Suttas
Conventional
Teaching
Suttas
Conventional
Teaching
Recorded speeches
Do good -
through effort
and determination
Adapting to
circumstances
Suppress defilements
Emphasize non-hatred
to understand
suffering
Textbook
Purify the mind -
uproot defilements
through vipassan
Distinction between
mind and matter
Uproot defilements
Emphasize wisdom
to understand
non-self
Instructions to monks
Avoid evil -
through awareness
Restraint
Abandon defilements
Emphasize non-craving
to understand
impermanence

The Iirst basket in the Tipitaka is the Vinaya. In the Vinaya, the
Buddha used his authority to lay down rules oI behaviour Ior monks
and nuns (227 rules Ior monks, 311 rules Ior nuns). The Vinaya tells us
to avoid evil through awareness. In society, evil usually implies hurting
somebody else; in Buddhism, evil means contaminating our own minds.
A contaminated mind is the Iorerunner oI all evil speech or deeds.

1
Christ`s ministry was Ior Iour years while the Buddha`s ministry was Ior 45 years.
Page 2
The second basket in the Tipitaka is the Suttas. These are the recorded
speeches oI the Buddha. They oIten start with the phrase, 'Thus have
I heard... The Buddha used everyday, conversational language in the
Suttas, depending on the audience to whom He was speaking. Many
oI the Suttas tell us to be good through eIIort and determination. In
society, being good usually implies helping somebody else; in
Buddhism, good means puriIying our own minds. A pure mind is the
Iorerunner oI all good speech or deeds.

The third basket in the Tipitaka is the Abhidhamma. The Abhidhamma
has the Iorm oI a textbook; it uses precise technical terms. The Suttas
and the Abhidhamma are two diIIerent ways oI saying the same thing.
As an analogy, the common, imprecise language used by the Suttas is
like an image on a TV screen, whereas the technical, precise language
used by the Abhidhamma is like the coloured dots which Iorm the
image. The Iocus oI the Abhidhamma is to puriIy the mind by seeing
things as they truly are (impermanent, unsatisIactory
2
and non-selI)
and thereby uproot deIilements. The Abhidhamma uses both analysis
(breaking things into parts) and synthesis (showing how parts are
related to each other).
Value of Abhidhamma
In 'What Buddhists Believe, Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda writes:
The question is raised whether the Abhidhamma is essential for
Dhamma practice. The answer to this will depend on the individual
who undertakes the practice. People vary in their levels of
understanding, their temperaments and spiritual development.

Ideally, all the different spiritual faculties should be harmoni:ed, but
some people are quite contented with devotional practices based on
faith, while others are keen on developing penetrative insight. The
Abhidhamma is most useful to those who want to understand the
Dhamma in greater depth and detail. It aids the development of
insight into the three characteristics of existence - impermanence,
unsatisfactoriness, and non-self. It is useful not only for the periods
devoted to formal meditation, but also during the rest of the day when
we are engaged in various mundane chores.

2
UnsatisIactory (dukkha) when there is no true satisIaction in clinging to it
Page 3
We derive great benefit from the study of the Abhidhamma when we
experience absolute reality. In addition, a comprehensive knowledge
of the Abhidhamma is useful for those engaged in teaching and
explaining the Dhamma. In fact, the real meaning of the most
important Buddhist terminologies such as Dhamma, Kamma, Samsra,
Sankhra, Paticcasamuppda and Nibbna cannot be understood
without a knowledge of Abhidhamma.

Abhidhamma helps us to gain a Buddhist perspective on liIe. Changing
our perspective causes a shiIt in our perception oI the world. As we
gain a Buddhist perspective, the nature oI the mind and the
characteristics oI reality will be obvious to us; not just at a knowledge
level but at a deeper, belieI / conIidence level. Knowledge comes Irom
books, belieI / conIidence comes Irom examining personal experience.
Abhidhamma is about recognizing states in the present moment so that
we may penetrate more deeply into the present.

An untrained ear hears a melody while a trained ear recognizes notes,
structure and chord progressions in the music. The trained ear has a
deeper perspective when listening to music. A trained ear requires
study oI music theory Iollowed up by practice oI listening to music.
Studying Abhidhamma is the Iirst step in getting a trained mind. The
next step, which builds on study is practice; starting with virtue (sla),
then concentration (samadhi) and Iinally wisdom (pa). With a
trained mind we will see things as they truly are; this is mindIulness
(sati). According to the Abhidhamma, the mind experiences millions
oI thoughts each second. We can only be aware oI a small portion oI
these thoughts. A trained mind can be mindIul oI all thoughts.

Most people structure their thoughts around the concept oI selI; 'I am
happy, 'It happened to me. The Abhidhamma has a meditator`s
perspective; there is no selI, there is only mind (nma) and non-mental
phenomena (rpa).

Abhidhamma is not Ior everybody; it depends on one`s accumulations.
As mentioned in the above quote by Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda,
studying the Abhidhamma helps one to understand the Suttas in depth;
the Abhidhamma provides the theory which underpins the Suttas. The
Abhidhamma also helps the meditator understand their meditative
experiences. Abhidhamma is suited to the enquiring, scientiIic mind.
Page 4
Traditional History of the Abhidhamma
In the Iourth week aIter enlightenment, the Buddha contemplated on
the Abhidhamma. When the Buddha contemplated the Abhidhamma,
He emitted rays oI six colours because He had Iinally Iound a subject
worthy oI His great intellect.

Seven years later, during the three months oI His rainy season retreat,
the Buddha went to Tvatimsa heaven to teach the Abhidhamma to his
Iormer mother
3
and many other Devas. One day in Tvatimsa heaven
is equivalent to one hundred human years, so the three month recital
was equivalent to 3.6 minutes oI Deva time. Each day, when it was
time Ior the Buddha to descend Irom Tvatimsa heaven Ior His alms-
round, the Buddha created an image and willed that the created
Buddha teach the Dhamma so much during His absence. AIter alms-
round, He met Sriputta and told him that so much oI the Dhamma
had been taught during the interval. Thus, there are three versions oI
Abhidhamma:
Taught by the Buddha in Tvatimsa Heaven (long version)
Taught by the Buddha to Sriputta (short version)
Taught by Sriputta to 500 monks (medium length version; this is the
version oI the Abhidhamma passed to us)

The Abhidhamma has seven volumes:
Dhammasangan: Buddhist Psychological Ethics
Vibhanga: Book oI Analysis
Dhtukath: Discourse on Elements
Puggalapaatti: Designation oI Human Types
Kathvatthu: Points oI Controversy
Yamaka: Book oI Pairs (not translated)
Patthna: Conditional Relations (partially translated)

According to tradition, six books oI the Abhidhamma (not including
Kathvatthu) were recited by the monks at the Iirst three councils. The
Kathvatthu was added during the third council. The Abhidhamma
was written down, with the rest oI the Tipitaka, about 2000 years ago.
About 1000 years ago, Acariya Anuruddha summarized the seven
books oI the Abhidhamma, together with a number oI ancient
commentaries into the Abhidhammattha Sangaha. This text is the
starting point Ior the serious student oI the Abhidhamma.

3
She had died in childbirth and had been reborn as a Deva
Page 5
Character of the Abhidhamma
The Abhidhamma is a philosophy. It deIines Iour ultimate realities
consciousness (citta), mental Iactors (cetasikas), non-mental
phenomena (rpa) and Nibbna. The Ioundation oI the Abhidhamma
is an understanding oI the nature oI reality. This includes the nature oI
mind, the three characteristics oI existence and the Iive aggregates
(the realities which constitute a being). Eor those people with an
analytical nature, the Abhidhamma provides a Iramework Ior the
understanding oI our everyday experience and this understanding is a
condition Ior the arising oI insight.
Penetration
of the Path
Five Aggregates
How the mind
and the body
interact
Nature of mind
- Greed (lobha)
- Hatred (dosa)
- Delusion (moha)
Characteristics
of existence
- Impermanence (anicca)
- Suffering (dukkha)
- No Self (anatt)
Wisdom
Pa
Virtue
Sla
Concentration
Samadhi
S
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P
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Do good
Purify the mind
Avoid
evil


The Abhidhamma is a science it classiIies and analyses. It provides
us with a classiIication oI all possible states oI consciousness and their
interrelation. The Abhidhamma deIines a set oI 'elementary
components (dhammas). Dhammas never occur individually, but they
are distinguishable. Just as one cannot separate the 'sweet and
'sour in a soup, one cannot separate the delusion Irom the greed
when they arise in the same mental state.

Page 6
The Abhidhamma is psychology. The Abhidhamma is really the
science oI the mind; in today`s terms, this is called Psychology. The
Iocus oI the Abhidhamma is on personal experience.

The Abhidhamma is ethics. It addresses moral issues oI 'right and
'wrong and explains the workings oI the law oI kamma (good begets
good, bad begets bad). The mind plays a central role in Buddhist ethics
and this is the theme oI the Iirst verses oI the Dhammapada:
Mind is the forerunner of all evil states. Mind is chief, mind-made
are they. If one speaks or acts with a wicked mind, because of that,
suffering follows one, even as the wheel follows the hoof of the
draught-ox. Mind is the forerunner of all good states. Mind is chief,
mind-made are they. If one speaks or acts with a pure mind, because
of that, happiness follows one, even as ones shadow that never
leaves.`

Though the Abhidhamma contains elements oI philosophy, science,
psychology and ethics, it is important to remember the Buddha`s stated
purpose oI the teaching. In the Clamlunkya Sutta (Mn 63), the
Buddha was asked a number oI theoretical questions; the Buddha
reIused to answer. In this Sutta, the Buddha gives the analogy oI a
man pierced with a poison arrow who reIuses to allow the surgeon to
remove the arrow until he is told the name, height, caste, etc. oI the
archer who shot the arrow. The man would die beIore he could learn
these things. In this Sutta and again in the Simsapa Sutta (SN LVI.31),
the Buddha explains the purpose oI the teaching:
Why have I left [answers to speculative questions] undeclared?
Because it is unbeneficial, it does not belong to the fundamentals of
the holy life, it does not lead to disenchantment, to dispassion, to
cessation, to peace, to direct knowledge, to enlightenment, to Nibbna.
That is why I have left it undeclared. And what have I declared? This
is suffering - I have declared. This is the origin of suffering - I
have declared. This is the cessation of suffering - I have declared.
This is the way to the cessation of suffering - I have declared. Why
have I declared that? Because it is beneficial, it belongs to the
fundamentals of the holy life, it leads to disenchantment, to
dispassion, to cessation, to peace, to direct knowledge, to
enlightenment, to Nibbna. That is why I have declared it.`

Page 7
We should avoid temptation to treat the Abhidhamma as an
intellectual exercise (analysis paralysis). The Abhidhamma helps us to
'see things as they truly are in the present moment. Abhidhamma is
meant Ior practical use in Iollowing the EightIold Path, rather than Ior
abstract theorizing. We start by studying the nature oI reality. We
Iollow this with putting the theory into practice through sla, samadhi
and pa. Pa allows us to directly know the nature oI the present
moment. LiIe exists as moments only. Past moments have gone, they
cannot be made to come back. The Iuture has not yet come, so it does
not yet exist. The present moment is now and is all that really exists.
The Abhidhamma helps people with an analytical nature to understand
the present moment.
Ultimate Realities (Paramattha)
The Abhidhamma recognizes two types oI realities:
Conventional Realities paatti (concepts / names) such as 'car
Paramattha (ultimate realities) citta (consciousness), cetasikas
(mental Iactors), rpa (non-mental phenomena) and Nibbna

Conventional realities exist as concepts, not as realities. They are the
products oI mental construction. Ultimate realities exist by reason oI
their own intrinsic nature. These are the dhammas; the Iinal irreducible
components oI existence. The mind is made up oI citta and cetasika.
Rpa does not experience or know anything. Nibbna is experienced
by the mind; experiencing Nibbna is the goal oI the path.

The ultimate realities oI science, sub-atomic particles, are concepts;
studying them has no practical use in daily liIe. Studying the ultimate
realities oI the Abhidhamma is oI great practical use; it allows us to
see things as they truly are. Wise attention (yoniso manasikra) is
being aware oI ultimate realities and not being Iooled by concepts.
Wise attention can occur in daily liIe, not just in a meditative
experience. The Abhidhamma is not a philosophical system dealing
with abstractions; it allows us to make sense oI our experiences.

The teaching that concepts do not ultimately exist and apparent
realities can be broken into ultimate realities can be Iound in 'The
Questions oI King Milinda, which was written in the Iirst century BC.
The book takes the Iorm oI questions Irom a philosopher king, King
Milinda, to a Buddhist monk, Ngasena. The dialogue below takes
place when they Iirst meet.
Page 8
By what name shall I know you, Sir?
My companions call me Ngasena. But the name and
the person to whom the name refers do not really exist.
If Ngasena and the person do not exist, to whom do
people offer alms and who receives these offerings?
Since you receive them, you really exist.
Your Mafesty, did you come to this
monastery on foot or by chariot?
I came by chariot.
Well then, what is a chariot? Is the horse the chariot?
Is the wheel the chariot? Is the axle the chariot?
Is the carriage the chariot?
I must answer No` to all of your questions.
Is there a thing called chariot beside the horse,
the wheel, the axle, the carriage, etc.?
There is no chariot beside the horse, the wheels,
the axle and the carriage. Just a combination of
these things has been named a chariot.
Jery well, your Mafesty, you should understand
Ngasena as you understood the chariot.

Just as the chariot can be said to consist oI various pieces, the selI can
be said to consist oI the Iive aggregates. The Iive aggregates are:
Consciousness (vina): Citta
Eeeling (vedan): One oI the cetasikas
Perception (sa): One oI the cetasikas
Mental Eormations (sankhra): 50 cetasikas led by volition (cetan);
volition is most important because it creates kamma
Non-mental phenomena (rpa): Rpa
Citta (Consciousness)
We can deIine citta as an activity, the process oI being aware oI an
object. The problem with this deIinition is the question, 'II there is no
selI, what is it that is aware? The answer is that it is the citta itselI
that is aware oI an object; citta is an 'agent. Citta is also an
instrument; the means by which the accompanying mental
Iactors (cetasikas) are aware oI an object. Citta is like a container; it
carries the various mental Iactors and allows them to access the object.
Page 9
Mental States
4

Much oI the Abhidhamma details how the mind works. According to
the Abhidhamma, the mind is a continuous stream oI mental states.
Each mental state includes consciousness (citta) and has a set oI
accompanying mental Iactors (cetasikas) which inIluence and direct
the mental state. Some cetasikas, such as 'compassion, are
wholesome. Some cetasikas, such as 'hatred, are unwholesome.
Some cetasikas, such as 'energy are indeterminate
5
.

The Abhidhamma lists the 89 possible mental states
6
:
Sense Sphere Mental States mental states we experience in our
day to day lives
Eine-Material Sphere Mental States mental states oI experienced
meditators when they meditate on objects
Immaterial Sphere Mental States mental states oI experienced
meditators when they meditate on speciIic concepts or realities
Supramundane Mental States mental states oI those who are
approaching enlightenment

Unwholesome
12 Mental States
Rootless
18 Mental States
Beautiful
24 Mental States
Fine-material
Sphere
15 Mental States
Immaterial
Sphere
12 Mental States
Supramundane
8 Mental States
Sense
Sphere
54 Mental States
Total of 89 Mental States
Greed-Rooted
Hatred-Rooted
Delusion-Rooted
Resultant
Functional
Wholesome
Resultant
Note: Slightly Simplified
These mental states
create bad kamma
These mental states
sense what happens to
us (seeing, hearing, etc.)
Wholesome create
good kamma
Resultant acts as
subconscious


4
Abhidhamma texts reIer to mental states as 'cittas. To avoid conIusion, I reserve
the word citta to mean consciousness. Mental State Citta + Mental Factors
5
An indeterminate cetasika is wholesome in a wholesome mental state,
unwholesome in an unwholesome mental state and neutral in a neutral mental state.
6
Sometimes listed as 121 by splitting the 8 Supramundane Mental States into 40
Page 10
The Iirst group, the unwholesome mental states, is split into greed-
rooted (lobha-mla), hatred-rooted (dosa-mla) and delusion-rooted
(moha-mla). All unwholesome mental states create bad kamma. The
weight oI the kamma created depends on the intensity oI the volition,
or will, behind the mental state. Strong will means strong kamma.

The second group is called rootless because they have neither bad
roots nor good roots
7
. These mental states are called resultants,
(vipka). According to Buddhism, past kamma is one oI the conditions
that cause things to happen to us. The instantaneous mental state oI
seeing or hearing
8
is the result oI some past kammic action.

The third group is the beautiIul mental states. The wholesome
beautiIul mental states create good kamma Ior us. There is also a type
oI beautiIul resultant mental state, which acts as our liIe continuum
9
.
In Pli, this is called a 'bhavanga mental state. Because being born as
a human is very Iortunate, our liIe continuum mental state is beautiIul.
Cetasikas (Mental Factors)
10

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Unwholesome
Mental States
Between 15 and
22 cetasikas
Wholesome
Mental States
Between 31 and
38 cetasikas
Rootless
Mental States
Between 7 and
12 cetasikas
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7
Bad roots are greed, hatred and delusion. Good roots are non-greed (generosity),
non-hatred (loving kindness) and non-delusion (wisdom)
8
Called seeing consciousness and hearing consciousness respectively
9
LiIe continuum mental states are described in the next chapter
10
Appendix II shows which cetasikas are part oI each mental state
Page 11
One oI the deIinitions oI citta is, 'the means by which the
accompanying mental Iactors are aware oI an object. The
accompanying mental Iactors are the cetasikas; the second type oI
ultimate reality. Citta never arises without cetasikas and cetasikas
depend upon citta to get access to an object. Citta and cetasikas
depend on each other. Like a man (cetasikas) in car (cittas), they travel
together (they arise together and perish together) and they take the
same road (same object and physical base). The driver (cetasika) on an
elephant (citta) can move logs; separately, neither can do the job, they
must work as a team. Citta is pure awareness; it is the accompanying
cetasikas that determine iI the mental state is unwholesome,
wholesome or neutral. Eor example, iI the cetasika oI greed
accompanies the citta, then the mental state is unwholesome.
Rpa (Non-mental Phenomena)
Science has created models Ior physical phenomena to help us to
control our environment. These models have allowed us to put a man
on the moon, but have not helped us progress spiritually.

One oI the objectives oI the Buddha`s teaching is to help us to train our mind.
With a Iocus on senses, the Abhidhamma deIines physical phenomena
using terms such as hardness, temperature, pressure and cohesion. The
term 'rpa includes much more than what we conventionally call
'physical phenomena. Rpa includes everything that is non-mental,
such as odour, Ilavour, nutrition, gender, bodily movement and speech.
Another objective oI the Buddha`s teaching is to understand the nature
oI rpa as one oI the Iive aggregates (impermanent, not to be clung to,
not selI).
Nibbna
Nibbna is the result oI Iollowing the Buddha`s teaching. Some people
think oI Nibbna as being like heaven; a place where one goes aIter
one dies. This is not correct. Nibbna is the object oI a Supramundane
mind-state
11
. Nibbna is something that is experienced. Awareness oI
Nibbna arises when conditions are appropriate. Though awareness oI
Nibbna depends on conditions, Nibbna itselI is unconditioned.
Nibbna is the extinguishing oI all craving.


11
Supramundane mental states are reserved Ior Saints (see Iootnote 14 on page 13)
Page 12
Conditions
The concept oI a conditioned reality is central to Abhidhamma. All
realities except Nibbna are conditioned; they arise dependent on
conditions. Eor example, it is a natural law that when a seed, soil, sun,
rain and seasons combine, each in their own way, a tree will be the
result. The nature oI the tree depends on the seed, but the seed
depends on many other supporting conditions to mature.

The principles behind conditionality are:
It is not possible to identiIy an absolute original cause oI the
conditioning process (Abhidhamma is descriptive, not speculative).
Nothing arises without the appropriate conditions necessary Ior its
origination (there is no Iortuitous origination).
Nothing arises Irom a single cause (Ior example, the Abhidhamma
rejects all monistic theories which seek to explain the origin oI the
world Irom a single cause such as a personal God or an impersonal
Godhead).
Nothing arises singly, as a solitary phenomenon (there is always a
plurality oI eIIects).
Erom a plurality oI conditions a plurality oI eIIects takes place (a
multiplicity oI dhammas brings about a multiplicity oI dhammas).
Natural Decisive Support Condition
The Patthna, the seventh book oI the Abhidhamma, explains
conditional relations; ways in which one thing can be a condition Ior
another
12
. One oI these methods oI conditioning is 'natural decisive
support condition (pakatpanissaya).

Strong past
concept
Strong past
mental state
Strong past
rpa
Natural Decisive
Support Condition
Current
mental state
What acts as
a Condition
What gets
Conditioned
Method of
Conditioning


12
The Patthna is silent on how rpa can condition other rpa (this would include
physics, chemistry, etc.) as it outside oI the scope oI the Buddha`s teaching.
Page 13
Natural decisive support works as a condition dependent upon strong
past concept, strong past mental state or strong past rpa. 'Past not
only includes experiences in the current liIetime, but also experiences
Irom previous liIetimes. A concept, mental state or rpa can be
'strong when:
It was encountered Irequently in the past (a past habit)
It was experienced very recently (bad news in one moment
inIluences your reaction to something else in the next moment)
It was associated with very strong volition in the past (strong past
impression or a solemn vow)

Natural decisive support condition 'decides iI our thoughts will be
wholesome or unwholesome and 'decides how strong the volition
will be and thereIore the weightiness oI the resulting kamma. It is
natural decisive support that 'decides when we can enter jhna
13
or
are ready to become a saint (sotpanna
14
).

Dosa
Kusala
What
happens
to us
Like
Dislike
Indifference
Lobha
Moha
Wise
Attention
Seeing
things
as they
truly are


Decisions are made, not according to the Iree will oI a supervisory
selI, but rather according to natural decisive support condition. Liking,
disliking, being indiIIerent or having wise attention depends on strong
past concepts, strong past mental states and strong past rpa.

The mind cannot be controlled
but it can be trained!


13
A jhna is highly reIined meditative state
14
Buddhism recognizes Iour levels oI saints, sotpanna (stream-enterer),
sakadgm (once-returner), angm (non-returner) and arahant (holy one)
Page 14
The saying that 'people are creatures oI habit is true. II we do mett
meditation each morning, our mind naturally reacts with mett
throughout the day. II we Ieel drawn to the Dhamma, it is probably
because we studied the Dhamma in a past liIe and have accumulations
to study the Dhamma in this liIe as well. II we are attracted to a
person, it is probably because we have been associated with them in a
past liIe. II we have a talent in music or art, it is probably because oI
experience in past lives.

There are many examples in the Suttas and commentaries where the
character or circumstances oI a person is linked to accumulations Irom
a previous liIe. At the time oI the Dpankar Buddha, Sumedh the
Hermit made a solemn vow that he would become a Iuture Buddha.
This solemn vow inIluenced the Bodhisatta Ior countless liIetimes.
Sriputta and Moggallna were chieI disciples oI the Buddha and
Ananda was the attendant oI the Buddha because they had made
vows in previous lives that this was the role that they wanted to play.

An understanding oI how this law oI nature called natural decisive
support works can be a condition Ior the creation oI good kamma:
We should look Ior opportunities to perIorm wholesome deeds. This
searching Ior and planning a wholesome deed can be, in itselI, a
wholesome deed. We should ensure that all wholesome deeds are
done with strong volition, mindIulness and clear intention. We
should review and rejoice in wholesome deeds perIormed and share
the merits oI our actions. Each oI these activities creates good
kamma and good accumulations a condition to support the
perIorming oI more good deeds in the Iuture.
When there is an unwholesome state oI mind, we should note it with
mindIulness. Seeing an unwholesome state oI mind Ior what it is
constitutes a wholesome action. MindIulness arrests the process oI
mental proliIeration (papaca) the multiplication oI unwholesome
states oI mind. Practicing mindIulness on an unwholesome state oI
mind weakens the power oI the accumulation that conditioned the
unwholesome state.
We should understand the potential power oI a solemn vow. To
increase the potency oI the vow, it should be made when the mind is
clear and not troubled by restlessness.

Many are deluded into believing in a selI that has control. ReIlecting
upon natural decisive support condition helps us to understand anatt.
Page 15
How Does Thinking Occur?
One oI the unique characteristics oI Buddhism is the comprehensive
analysis oI how the mind works. This analysis supports the concept oI
anatt (non-selI); 'there is thinking without a thinker.

The basic unit oI the mind is the mental state. Abhidhamma texts reIer
to these mental states as 'cittas, however to avoid conIusion, we
reserve the word 'citta to mean 'consciousness. Millions oI mental
states arise and Iall away each millisecond. The mental state consists
oI citta (consciousness) and a combination oI mental Iactors
(cetasikas); Mental State Citta + Cetasikas.
Bhavanga (Life-Continuum) Mental State
The bhavanga mental state is the most common mental state. A series
oI bhavanga mental states Iill in the gaps between sense-door
processes (sense-door processes are seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting
and touching) and mind-door processes (mind-door processes usually
involve 'thinking about a concept)
15
. During dreamless sleep, only
bhavanga mental states arise. The Iunction oI the bhavanga mental
states is to provide continuity when there is no current object taken by
the mind. There are millions oI bhavanga mental states arising each
second and they are all the same (Ior a single course oI existence
16
).

Bhavanga Mental States
(Life Continuum)
Mental States associated
with sense door process
Mental States associated
with mind door process


15
II we consider how rapidly the mind works when our liIe Ilashes beIore our eyes,
(when there are Iew bhavanga mental states between mind door processes) we get
an idea oI the number oI bhavanga mental states there are between normal sense-
door and mind-door processes.
16
As explained in the Chapter, 'What Happens When We Die, the Iirst mental
state in an existence (rebirth-linking or patisandhi) is a bhavanga mental state. The
last mental state in an existence (death or cuti) is also a bhavanga mental state. At
rebirth, we get a new bhavanga mental state that remains Iixed throughout that
course oI existence. The bhavanga mental state in this existence takes the same
object as the last sense-door or mind-door process Irom the previous existence.
Page 16
Bhavanga is a resultant (vipka) mental state; it is a result oI kamma
that led to rebirth in the current existence
17
:
Mental State #19: this unwholesome resultant mental state perIorms
the Iunction oI bhavanga Ior beings in the Iour woeIul planes (hell,
animals, ghosts and demons). This mental state is rootless; it does
not have any wholesome roots or unwholesome roots
18
.
Mental State #27: this wholesome resultant mental state perIorms
the Iunction oI bhavanga Ior human beings born with congenital
deIects (born blind, etc.). This mental state is also rootless; it does
not have any wholesome roots or unwholesome roots
17
.
Mental State #39: this sense sphere resultant mental state perIorms
the Iunction oI bhavanga Ior human beings and some deities.
Because it is unprompted, these people tend to be spontaneous.
Because it has three wholesome roots, these people are able to attain
jhna or sainthood
19
in this existence. Because it has pleasant Ieeling,
these people tend to be jovial.
Mental State #40: Same as mental state #39, except that because it is
prompted, these people tend to be passive.
Mental State #41: Same as mental state #39, except that because it is
has only two wholesome roots (no pa / wisdom), these people
are not able to attain jhna or sainthood in this existence.
Mental State #42: Same as mental state #39, except that these
people tend to be passive and they are not able to attain jhna or
sainthood in this existence.
Mental State #43: Same as mental state #39, except that these people
tend to be serious rather than jovial.
Mental State #44: Same as mental state #40, except that these people
tend to be serious rather than jovial.
Mental State #45: Same as mental state #41, except that these people
tend to be serious rather than jovial.
Mental State #46: Same as mental state #42, except that these
people tend to be serious rather than jovial.
Mental States #60 #64: these mental states perIorm the Iunction
oI bhavanga Ior deities in the Iine material planes oI existence
20
.
Mental States #74 #77: these mental states perIorm the Iunction oI
bhavanga Ior deities in the immaterial planes oI existence.

17
See Appendix I Ior listing oI mental states using this numbering system
18
See Iootnote 7 on page 10
19
See Iootnotes 13, 14 on page 13
20
See Chapter on '31 Planes oI Existence
Page 17
Sense-Door Process
Conditions Ior the sense-door process start when an external object
(rpa) comes into existence. Rpa, such as visible object, exists Ior the
duration oI seventeen mental states. Sense-door objects are classed
according to their ability to attract the attention oI the mind:
Very Great Object: There are three bhavanga mental states beIore
the arising oI a mental state that takes the rpa as object
Great Object: There are Iour or Iive bhavanga mental states beIore
the arising oI a mental state that takes the rpa as object
Slight Object: There are six to eleven bhavanga mental states beIore
the arising oI a mental state that takes the rpa as object
Very Slight Object: No mental states that take the rpa as object

Visible Object Exists for Duration of 17 Mental States
B B B B A
Very
Great
Object
B B B B A
Great
Object
B
First Mental State Taking Visible Object
Arresting Bhavanga
Vibrating Bhavanga
Past Bhavanga
First Mental State Taking Visible Object
Arresting Bhavanga
Vibrating Bhavanga
Past Bhavanga
B B B B A
Slight
Object
B B
First Mental State Taking Visible Object
Arresting Bhavanga
Vibrating Bhavanga
Past Bhavanga
B

All bhavanga mental states have the Iunction oI continuity, but some
are given names according to what is occurring at the same time:
Past Bhavanga: Ilow oI bhavanga is unperturbed by rpa; mental
state is Iixed Iirmly on the past object (object Irom past existence)
Vibrating Bhavanga: Ilow oI bhavanga is perturbed by rpa; only
arises when suIIicient past bhavanga mental states have arisen
(minimum oI one) Ior the object to be strong enough to capture the
mind`s attention as conditioned by natural decisive support condition.
Arresting Bhavanga: Ilow oI bhavanga is stopped (condition Ior the
arising oI the Iirst mental state taking rpa as object)
Page 18
Five-Sense-Door Adverting Mental State
The Iive-sense-door adverting mental state (mental state #28)
21
is
called Iunctional (kiriya) because it is not associated with kamma or
its result. As part oI this mental state, when the mind starts to
concentrate on the new object, one-pointedness comes into play. The
mind concentrates attention on the source oI the disturbance to the
Ilow oI bhavanga. Concentration oI attention turns the mind toward
the new object. Attention makes the mind diIIerent Irom the previous
(bhavanga) mind by controlling the mind to advert to the new object.
Sense-Consciousness Mental State
Conditions supporting the arising oI a sense-consciousness mental
state include:
Ealling away oI the Iive-sense-door adverting mental state
Door at which the object appears (eye, ear, nose, tongue, body) the
six senses (including mind) are called doors as they are the way that
rpas are involved in the process
Intrinsic quality oI the object (undesirable, neutral, desirable) most
rpas are intrinsically neutral; exceptions include a very hot
temperature (undesirable) or the sight oI a Buddha (desirable)
Kamma Irom some past action

Based on the door and intrinsic quality oI the object, one oI the ten
sense-consciousness mental states will arise:
An undesirable object will cause mental states #13 #17 to arise
A neutral object or a desirable object supports the arising oI mental
states #20 #24

The sense-consciousness mental state has the Iunction oI seeing,
hearing, smelling, tasting or touching. This is 'pure sensing; there is
no processing oI the sensory input. The eye-consciousness mental state
has eye sensitivity as a base. Other sense-consciousness mental states
have their respective sense organs (ear, nose, tongue, body) as a base.
Mental states other than the ten sense-consciousness mental states are
supported by the 'heart-base
22
.

21
See Appendix I Ior listing oI mental states using this numbering system
22
In the original Abhidhamma texts, this was the matter that the mind element is
based upon. In classical India, it was believed that the mind was centered in the
heart (not the brain). The writers oI the commentaries, Iollowing the tradition at the
time (but not the Buddha`s words), called this the heart-base.
Page 19
Receiving Mental State
Like a butler, the Iunction oI this mental state is to make an initial
acquaintance with the object and receive the object into the sense-door
process. II the object is intrinsically undesirable, mental state #18 will
arise. II the object is neutral or desirable, mental state #25 will arise.
Investigating Mental State
This mental state examines the object, looking Ior distinguishing
marks indicating that the object has been perceived beIore. II the
object is intrinsically undesirable, mental state #19 will arise. II the
object is neutral, mental state #27 will arise. II the object is
intrinsically desirable, mental state #26 will arise, together with
pleasant Ieeling.
Determining Mental State
The previous three mental states (sense-consciousness, receiving and
investigating) were resultants (vipka) oI the same past action. The
Iunction oI the determining mental state is to come to a conclusion
regarding the object. This mental state is Iunctional (kiriya), not
associated with kamma or its result. Whereas in the adverting stage,
attention controlled the mind to advert to the new object, in the
determining mental state, attention controls the arising oI javana
mental states which create new kamma. The process is a series oI
mental states; there is no selI behind the process to exercise Iree-will
or choose a response to the object.

1avana Mental States
The Ialling away oI the determining mental state is one oI the
conditions Ior the arising oI the Javana mental state, however it is
natural decisive support condition that determines which type oI
Javana mental state will arise. There are 29 possible mental states
which Iunction as javana:
8 greed-rooted mental states (#1 - #8) bad kamma
2 aversion-rooted mental states (#9, #10) bad kamma
2 delusion-rooted mental states (#11, #12) bad kamma
8 beautiIul wholesome mental states (#31 - #38) good kamma
8 beautiIul Iunctional mental states (#47 - #54); javana mental states
oI Arahants do not generate kamma, they are Iunctional
1 rootless Iunctional mental state; smile producing consciousness oI
an Arahant (#30)
Page 20
II one has kusala accumulations, the object oI the process may be
'seen as it truly is (with wise attention / yoniso manasikra). II one
has akusala accumulations, the javana mental states may:
Cling to the object (lobha accumulations)
Have aversion to the object (dosa accumulations)
Be indiIIerent to the object (moha accumulations)

In other mental states, volition has a role oI coordinating the Iunctions
oI the citta and cetasikas. In the javana mental state oI a worldling (a
non-arahant), volition also creates kamma. The weightiness oI the
kamma produced depends on the strength oI the volition. Natural
decisive support determines the strength oI the volition and thereIore
the weightiness oI the kamma.

In almost all cases, there are seven javana mental states arising in
sequence
23
. Each javana mental state in the sequence is the same
24
.
Registration
25

In the case oI a very great object, the vibrating bhavanga arose aIter a
single instance oI past bhavanga. In this case, when the javana mental
states have Iinished, the object (which always lasts Ior 17 mind-
moments) is taken by registration mental states. Registration mental
states are vipka, the resultant oI the same kamma which caused the
sense-consciousness mental state, the receiving mental state and the
investigating mental state. Registration mental states arise as a pair
and only arise Ior very great objects.

When, Ior instance, a person looks at the radiant moon on a cloudless
night, he gets a Iaint glimpse oI the surrounding stars as well. He
Iocuses his attention on the moon, but he cannot avoid the sight oI
stars around. The moon is regarded as a very great object (registration
mental states will arise), while the stars are regarded as minor objects
(registration mental states will not arise). Both moon and stars are
perceived by the mind at diIIerent moments.

23
Exceptions are at the moment oI Iainting and the last process in a liIetime
24
The seven javana mental states have diIIerent strengths and bear kammic Iruit at
diIIerent times, but they all have the same qualities.
25
Some texts reIer to these as 'retention mental states; in Pli, tadlambana or
tadrammana (literally, 'hanging on to that object)
Page 21
Visible Object Exists for 17 Mental States
B B B B A
Great
Object
S R I D 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 B B
B B B B A
Great
Object
S R I D 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 B B
B B B B A
Slight
Object
S R I D D D B B B B B B B
B Bhavanga Object is from previous existence
A Five-Sense-Door Adverting
S Sense-Consciousness
R Receiving
I Investigating
D Determining
1 1avana (Kamma-creating)
T Registration
B B B B A S R I D 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 T T
Very
Great
Object
Object is Present Visible Object


Sense Door Process Mental States
Intrinsic Nature of Rpa
Undesirable Neutral Desirable
Eive-Sense-Door
Adverting (Eunctional)
#28
Sense-Consciousness
(Resultant)
#13 to #17 #20 to #24
Receiving (Resultant) #18 #25
Investigating (Resultant) #19 #26 #27
Determining (Eunctional) #29
Javana (Creates Kamma
Ior Worldlings)
Worldlings: #1 to #12, #31 to #38
Arahants: #30, #47 to #54
Registration (Resultant) #19
#26,
#43 to #46
#27,
#39 to #42
Page 22
The Mango Tree Simile
A man sleeps beneath a mango tree. Stream oI bhavanga
A wind strikes the tree. Past bhavanga
The branches sway with the wind. Vibrating bhavanga
A mango Ialls beside the sleeping man. Arresting bhavanga
The man awakes. Adverting mental state
The man opens his eyes. Eye consciousness
The man picks up the mango. Receiving consciousness
The man presses and smells the mango. Investigating consciousness
The man understands that this is a
mango Iruit that is ready to eat.
Determining consciousness
The man eats the mango. Javana consciousness
The man notes the aIter-taste; his saliva
still retains the mango taste.
Registration consciousness
The man Ialls back to sleep. Stream oI bhavanga
Mind-Door Process
Immediately aIter a sense-door process, there will be an indeterminate
number oI bhavanga mental states Iollowed by a mind-door process
taking the present rpa as object. This mind-door process includes:
Three bhavanga mental states (past, vibrating and arresting)
Mind-door-adverting (#29); same as determining mental state
Seven javana mental states (kamma creating in non-arahants)
Two registration mental states ('clear objects have registration
mental states, 'obscure objects have no registration mental states)

Next, there is a series oI mind-door process ('clear or 'obscure)
taking past, present or Iuture mental states, mental Iactors, rpa or
concepts as object. These mind-door processes only have two
bhavanga (vibrating and arresting) because mental objects do not
require a 'past bhavanga; they are already present in the mind.
B B Obscure Object D 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 B
B Bhavanga Object is from previous existence
D Mind-Door Adverting
1 1avana
T Registration
B B D 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 T T Clear Object
Object is Mental Object
B

Page 23
Sense-Door Process and Mind-Door Processes
A 'visible object is that which presents itselI at the eye door in a
small Iraction oI a second. As an analogy, visible object is like a single
Irame Irom a movie Iilm. Each Irame is seen as a visible object and
the mind merges them together into a continuous stream.

AIter the eye-door process, there will be a Iew bhavanga mental
states Iollowed by a mind-door process taking the same rpa (visible
object) as object. This is called a 'conIormational process that
eIIectively 'copies the rpa into a mental object. The mind may then
go and deal with other sense doors beIore coming back and grabbing
another visible object Irom the eye-door.

A mind-door process grasps the object as a whole and 'glues together
distinct 'Irames to create a perception oI unity. There are then sets
oI mind-door processes that recognize the colour, grasp the shape,
recognize the shape, grasp the name and recognize the name.

Eye-door Process
ConIormational Process
Eye-door Process
ConIormational Process
Eye-door Process
ConIormational Process
Visible Object Visible Object Visible Object
'Grasping the Object as a Whole Set oI Processes
'Recognizing the Colour Set oI Processes
'Grasping the Shape Set oI Processes
'Recognizing the Shape Set oI Processes
'Grasping the Name Set oI Processes
'Recognizing the Name Set oI Processes



Page 24
When Thinking Goes Wrong
So Iar, the kamma created by these mental processes is quite weak.
We now reach the stage oI 'mental proliIeration. This progression is
described in the Honeyball Sutta (Mn18):
Dependent on eye and forms, eye
consciousness arises. The meeting
of the three is contact. With contact
as a condition there is feeling.

This explains that Ieeling
arises naturally and
objectively Irom contact.
What one feels, that one names.
What one names, that one thinks
about. What one thinks about, that
one mentally proliferates.

The wording makes it
clear that the process oI
naming, thinking about
and mental proliIeration
are subjective.
With what one has mentally
proliferated as the source,
perceptions and notions tinged by
mentally proliferation beset a man
with respect to past, future and
present forms cogni:able though the eye.
Mental proliIeration adds
to what is seen; it then
Ieeds upon itselI,
covering over the true
nature oI the object, layer
by layer.

The Abhidhamma explains that accumulations oI greed, hatred and
delusion cause 'perversion oI perception (sa-vipallsa) which in
turn builds into perversion oI thought and eventually perversion oI
opinion. In the dark, a man spontaneously perceives a coiled up rope
as a snake (perversion oI perception). The man then assumes that
what he saw was a snake (perversion oI thought). Einally, he is
convinced that what he has seen is a snake (perversion oI opinion).

Unwise attention to the object allows accumulations oI greed, hatred
and delusion to pervert perception oI the object. This perversion oI
perception then in turn allows greed, hatred and delusion to rise up as
emotions. Eor example, under the inIluence oI an accumulation oI
greed, an object may appear to be desirable. When the object appears
as desirable, the emotion oI greed arises. This is mental proliIeration.

Based on accumulations, the mind distorts and rationalizes to create
its own reality. We can cut through these hallucinations by applying
'wise attention.
Page 25
Studying the Abhidhamma allows us to understand that the world is
made up oI ultimate realities (citta, cetasikas and rpa). The
commentary to the Mlapiriyya Sutta (Mn 1) explains that this
understanding is the Iirst step to wise attention (seeing things as they
truly are). Wise attention allows us to understand the Iive aggregates
and subdue the perception oI 'selI.

Modern science provides some interesting insights. Scientists have
identiIied a portion oI the brain that they call the 'orientation
association area whose Iunction it is to collect data coming in Irom
the senses and organize it around a perception called 'selI. As
measured by blood Ilow, this is normally an extremely active part oI
the brain. However, there are moments when Buddhist monks enter
deep concentration or Christian nuns are deep in prayer when the
activity in the orientation association area part oI the brain reduces
signiIicantly. The monks and nuns describe the event as experiencing a
'higher reality. The monks explain the experience as 'perceiving non-
selI while the nuns explain it as 'talking with God.

Though the monks and the nuns have a similar experience oI a 'higher
reality, they rationalize it diIIerently. This was illustrated in a recent
extensive survey oI patients who had 'died Ior a short time and then
'came back to liIe. When asked to describe the experience, most
patients described a Ieeling oI Iloating out oI the body, seeing a bright
light, going through the centre oI the bright light, being told that 'it
was not their time and then reversing the process until they were back
inside their bodies again. Christians said that Mary or Jesus had told
them that it was not their time. Hindus were convinced that they had
met Krishna and Jews insisted that they had met Moses. Many
Buddhists believed that they had met Kwan Yin or the Buddha.

In another example where modern science provided some interesting
insights, there was a man who suIIered brain damage in a car accident.
AIter the accident, the man was able to recognize his mother but he
insisted that she was an imposter. Doctors discovered that the portion
oI the brain that recognized objects (naming) was working properly,
but the link between the 'naming part oI the brain and the part oI the
brain that stored the emotions associated with the name (thinking
about) had been damaged. So when the patient recognized his mother
but did not have the expected emotions associated with this person,
the patient concluded that this must be an imposter.
Page 26
Recognizing Mental States
Each sense-door process is Iollowed by a number oI mind-door
processes. As we can see Irom the diagram below, most oI the time
the mental state is either bhavanga (liIe continuum) or javana (creating
kamma). In almost all cases, when we observe the mind, it is the
javana mental states that are seen.

BBBBASRIDJJJJJJJTTBBBBBDJJJJJJJTTBBBBBBBBDJJJJJJJTTBBBBDJJJJJJJTTB
Rpa Rpa Concept Concept
Sense Door Mind Door Mind Door Mind Door
B: Bhavanga mental state (liIe continuum)
A,S,R,I,D: Sense door mental states
J: Javana mental state (creates kamma)
T: Registration mental state (retention)
A sense door process is followed by a large number of mind door processes


Eor most worldlings, almost all oI the javana mental states will be
unwholesome (akusala) and Iall into one oI twelve categories:

Greed Rooted (Lobha Mla) Mental States
1. Unprompted, associated with wrong view, with pleasant Ieeling
2. Prompted, associated with wrong view, with pleasant Ieeling
3. Unprompted, not associated with wrong view, with pleasant
Ieeling
4. Prompted, not associated with wrong view, with pleasant Ieeling
5. Unprompted, associated with wrong view, with indiIIerent Ieeling
6. Prompted, associated with wrong view, with indiIIerent Ieeling
7. Unprompted, not associated with wrong view, with indiIIerent
Ieeling
8. Prompted, not associated with wrong view, with indiIIerent
Ieeling

Hatred Rooted (Dosa Mla) Mental States
9. Unprompted, associated with ill-will, with unpleasant Ieeling
10. Prompted, associated with ill-will, with unpleasant Ieeling

Delusion Rooted (Moha Mla) Mental States
11. Associated with doubt, with indiIIerent Ieeling
12. Associated with restlessness, with indiIIerent Ieeling
Page 27
On rare occasions, a beautiIul mental state will arise. These mental
states Iall into one oI eight categories (numbering system Iollows the
listing oI mental states in Appendix I):

Wholesome (Kusala) Mental States
31. Unprompted, associated with wisdom, with pleasant Ieeling
32. Prompted, associated with wisdom, with pleasant Ieeling
33. Unprompted, not associated with wisdom, with pleasant Ieeling
34. Prompted, not associated with wisdom, with pleasant Ieeling
35. Unprompted, associated with wisdom, with indiIIerent Ieeling
36. Prompted, associated with wisdom, with indiIIerent Ieeling
37. Unprompted, not associated with wisdom, with indiIIerent Ieeling
38. Prompted, not associated with wisdom, with indiIIerent Ieeling

DeIinitions:
Unprompted / prompted: An unprompted activity is automatic,
impulsive or spontaneous. Prompting can come Irom oneselI or
Irom others. An unprompted mental state creates stronger (good or
bad) kamma than a prompted mental state because a spontaneous
mental state has stronger volition.
Wrong view: When accompanied by wrong view, a mental state is
connected with a conviction, belieI, opinion or rationalization. A
mental state accompanied by wrong view has the mental Iactor oI
ditthi. A mental state accompanied by wrong view creates stronger
bad kamma than a mental state not accompanied by wrong view
because wrong view strengthens the volition.
Feeling: The English word 'Ieeling is very broad in meaning. Eor
example, there are almost unlimited responses to the question 'How
are you Ieeling?. The word Ieeling (vedan) used by the Buddha in
the Suttas and in the Abhidhamma is quite speciIic. Vedan is
limited to 'pleasant bodily Ieeling, 'unpleasant bodily Ieeling,
'pleasant mental Ieeling, 'neutral mental Ieeling or 'unpleasant
mental Ieeling.
Wisdom: Mental states accompanied by pa (amoha) Iocuses on
mental activities such as meditation, listening to Dhamma, teaching
the Dhamma or straightening out one`s view. Note that it is not
required to be a Buddhist to have mental states accompanied by
wisdom. A mental state accompanied by wisdom creates stronger
good kamma than a mental state not accompanied by wisdom
because wisdom strengthens the volition.

Page 28
1avana Quiz
IdentiIy the predominant javana mental state in each oI the Iollowing
situations (answers Iollow the quiz):
a. You are listening to a pleasant song without giving any thought to
kamma and its eIIect.
b. A hunter kills Ior sport.
c. A woman reads a Dhamma book on her own accord without
understanding the meaning and without knowing about kamma
and its result.
d. A person has doubts about kamma and its eIIect.
e. A man steals a handbag aIter much selI-persuasion, because he is
aware oI kamma and its eIIect.
I. A girl, aIter being persuaded by her companion, goes to listen to a
Dhamma talk with joy and with a knowledge oI kamma.
g. A person is listening to a Dhamma talk but does not understand a
word because his mind is restless.
h. With joy, knowing that stealing is wrong, a boy steals an apple
Irom a Iruit stall through the prompting oI a Iriend.
i. A boy spontaneously gives some money to a beggar with joy but
without knowledge oI kamma.
j. We oIIer alms without being prompted by anyone and we Ieel
glad at the time oI oIIering.
k. Reasoning about kamma, you drink coIIee with neutral Ieeling,
but you still appreciate the taste.
l. A mother is worrying about her daughter. What is the mental state
oI the mother?
m. A person, aIter being persuaded by his companion, watches a
movie joyIully without any attention to kamma.
n. A girl sweeps the Iloor with neutral Ieeling, but knows that it is a
wholesome thing to do.
o. A Iather explains to a son that the son has been cheated. The son is
sad. What is the mental state oI the son?
p. A small child, who does not know right Irom wrong, smilingly kills
an ant.
q. One kills a wounded animal, with an object oI putting an end to its
suIIering.
r. A girl, prompted by her mother, washes her parents clothes with
joy and without thinking about kamma.
Page 29
s. A boy is eating plain rice with salt with some attachment but
without joy and knowledge oI kamma.
t. A lady has knowledge oI kamma. But aIter much persuasion Irom
a saleswoman, she reluctantly buys a new dress.
u. A man, aIter being requested by the headmaster to donate some
money to the school, donates one hundred dollars joyIully without
knowing kamma and its result.
v. In anger, a man kills another by accident.
w. A girl is aware oI kamma and its Iruits, but she, in compliance
with the request oI her companions, listens to modern songs
joyIully.
x. A man, prompted by a monk, chops wood with neutral Ieeling, but
knowing it to be a meritorious deed.
y. A girl appreciates her new dress aIter her mother says that the
dress is beautiIul. She has a neutral Ieeling and no knowledge oI
kamma.
z. Young children, without knowledge oI kamma or kamma-result,
pay homage joyIully to a monk or a Buddha image, aIter being
prompted by their parents.
aa. A lady delightIully puts on a new dress, but she is aware that
attachment to the dress causes mental states rooted in attachment.
bb. A soldier throws a grenade into an enemy stronghold.
cc. A lady with knowledge oI kamma and joy oIIers Ilowers to a
pagoda on her own accord.
dd. A person is enjoying Iood and drink without paying any attention
to kamma.
ee. A hungry boy spontaneously steals an apple Irom an orchard,
thinking that there is nothing wrong because the owner oI the
orchard has more apples than he needs.

Answers to 1avana Quiz
26

a 1, b 9, c 37, d 11, e 8, I 32, g 12, h 4, i 33, j 31, k 7, l 9, m 2, n 35, o 10, p
3, q 9, r 38, s 5, t 8, u 34, v 9, w 4, x 36, y 6, z 34, aa 3, bb 9, cc 31, dd 1,
ee 5


26
Some oI the situations are not Iully explained, so the solutions given are just one
possible set oI correct answers
Page 30
Universal & Occasional Ethically Variable Cetasikas
Universal cetasikas arise in every mental state whereas occasional
cetasikas only arise in some mental states. Ethically variable cetasikas
are wholesome when they arise in wholesome mental states (good
roots), unwholesome when they arise in unwholesome mental states
(bad roots) and neutral when they arise in neutral mental states (no
roots). The Iollowing diagram shows the Iunction oI these seven
universal cetasikas in an eye-consciousness mental state; this mental
state has these seven cetasikas and no others.
Contact (makes connection to object)
Feeling (experiences flavour of
connection; neutral in this case)
Attention (directs the focus of
concentration)
Visible
Object
V
o
l
i
t
i
o
n
(
c
o
o
r
d
i
n
a
t
e
s
)
Citta (consciousness / awareness)
Life Faculty
(supports life of
citta and cetasikas)
Perception (marks the object)
One-pointedness (fixes on object)

Feeling
Because there are no mental states without these cetasikas, most oI
them are diIIicult to recognize. The exception is the cetasika oI Ieeling.
The English term 'Ieeling includes a broad array oI emotions; in
Buddhism, there are only Iive types oI Ieeling:
Unpleasant mental Ieeling only associated with hatred-rooted
javana mental states
Pleasant mental Ieeling associated with various mental states
Neutral mental Ieeling associated with various mental states
Pleasurable physical Ieeling only associated with unwholesome
resultant body consciousness
PainIul physical Ieeling only associated with wholesome resultant
body consciousness
P
a
g
e

3
1

Characteristic
Salient quality
of phenomena
Function
Performance of Task
Achievement of Goal
Manifestation
Way it presents
in an experience
Proximate Cause
Principal condition
on which it depends
Mentally
(not physically)
touching object
Phassa
Contact /
Sense
Impact; Impingement, causes
consciousness and the object
to impinge
Coinciding of physical base,
object and consciousness
Object that has
entered the avenue
of awareness
Being felt (direct
and full experience,
not emotion)
Vedan
Feeling /
Sensation
Experiencing the taste /
flavour of an object; enjoying
the aspects of the object
Relishing of the associated
mental factors
Tranquility
Perceiving the
qualities of an object;
noting
Sa
Perception /
Recognitio
Recognizing what has been
previously noted and making
a sign so it can be recognized
again
Briefness; the interpreting
of the object by way of the
features that had been
apprehended
Whatever object
appeared; the
as it appears
Coordinating; the
state of willing
Cetan
Volition /
Intentio
Willing; to accumulate
kamma
Directing; coordination
(organizes its associated
mental state and cetasikas
in acting on the object)
The associated
mental state and
cetasikas
Ekaggat
One-
/ Fixing
Non-scattering, non-
distraction of
cetasikas; non-
wandering
Welding together of the
coexistent states;
conglomerate or unite the
associated cetasikas
Peace of mind / knowledge;
peace
Usually has ease
(sukha); happiness
1j jjjvitindriya
Life Faculty
/ Vitality
Ceaseless watching;
maintaining the
mental state and
cetasikas
Maintain the life of the
accompanied mental state
and cetasikas
Establishment of mental
state and cetasikas to be
maintained
Mental state and
cetasikas that have
to be sustained
Manasikra
Attention /
Advertence
Driving associated
states towards the
object
1oining (yoking) associated
states to the object
Facing the object;
confrontation with an
object
The object
Universals

P
a
g
e

3
2

Characteristic
Salient quality
of phenomena
Function
Performance of Task /
Achievement of Goal
Manifestation
Way it presents itself
in an experience
Proximate Cause
Principal condition
on which it depends
Directing the mind
onto an object
Vitakka
Initial Application
/ Applied Thinking
To strike at and
thresh the object
The leading of the
mind to an object
The object
Continued
presence on
the object
Vicra
Sustained Application
/ Discursive Thinking
Sustained application of all
of the cetasikas on the object
Anchoring of all of the
cetasikas on the object
The object
Conviction; being
convinced about an
object
Adhimokkha
Determination
/ Decision
Not groping Decisiveness
A thing to be
convinced about
Supporting, exertion
and marshalling
Viriya
Energy / Effort
/ Exertion
Supporting its associated
mental states
Non-collapse A sense of urgency
Pti
Enthusiasm / Zest
/ Rapture / Interest
Endearing Refresh mind and body Elation
Mind and body
(nmarpa)
Chanda
Desire / Zeal
/ Wish
Desire to act Searching for an object Need for an object The object
Occasionals
See Appendix II for a list of which cetasikas appear in which mental states

Page 33
Universal Unwholesome Mental Factors
Eour mental Iactors accompany all unwholesome states oI mind:
Moha (Delusion / Ignorance / Dullness / Mental Blindness)
Ahirika (Shamelessness / Lack oI Moral Shame / Impudence /
Immodesty / Lack oI Conscience)
Anottappa (Recklessness / Lack oI Moral Dread / Disregard oI
Blame)
Uddhacca (Restlessness / Distraction / Wavering)

Greed, wrong view, conceit, hatred, envy, selIishness, remorse and
doubt cannot arise without moha, ahirika, anottappa and uddhacca.
Moha, ahirika, anottappa and uddhacca can be suppressed during
moments oI wholesome mental states, but they remain dormant in the
mind, always ready to accompany the arising oI unwholesome mental
states until they are uprooted when one becomes an Arahant.
Moha (Delusion / Ignorance / Dullness / Mental Blindness)
Characteristic: Mental blindness or unknowing; opposition to
knowledge
Function: Concealment oI the true nature oI an object; non-
penetration
Manifestation: Absence oI right understanding; opposed to right
practice (patipatti); causing blindness
Proximate Cause: Unwise attention (Ayoniso Manasikra)
Regarded as: Root oI all immoralities

Moha is like the director oI a Iilm; it directs everything that is
unwholesome but we do not see moha directly. Moha arises when
there is no right understanding. Moha is not the same as lack oI
worldly or scientiIic knowledge. Moha is the mental blindness which
conceals the true nature oI things:
Mental blindness to nma and rpa as they truly are
Mental blindness to anicca, dukkha and anatt
Mental blindness to the Iour noble truths

Moha cannot be uprooted merely by thinking about realities; it can
eventually be uprooted by the wisdom that knows the true nature oI
realities (Study Practice Realization).


Page 34
There are two kinds oI moha:
Latent moha: Even at moments oI perIorming good deeds, latent
moha still exists. Latent moha is not a cetasika; it is an
accumulation. Only an Arahant has uprooted latent moha. It is like
the poison in a tree that bears poisonous Iruit.
Rising-up moha: All unwholesome mental states include the
cetasikas moha. Because oI the concealing nature oI moha, the
unwholesome nature oI the current state oI mind is not understood
and the Iuture consequences oI one's actions are not understood.
Ahirika (Shamelessness / Lack of Moral Shame / Impudence /
Immodesty / Lack of Conscience)
Characteristic: Absence oI disgust at bodily and verbal
misconduct; immodesty
Function: Doing evil things without shame
Manifestation: Not shrinking away Irom evil
Proximate Cause: Lack oI respect Ior selI

Ahirika inhibits the shame and disgust that should arise with
unwholesome actions, speech or thought. Ahirika is internally Iocused;
it comes Irom a lack oI respect Ior selI. Just as a pig is not ashamed to
roll in sewage, ahirika is not ashamed oI committing immoral actions,
speeches and thoughts.

The Buddha said to his son, 'OI anyone Ior whom there is no shame
at intentional lying; oI him I say that there is no evil he cannot do. 'I
will not speak a lie, even Ior Iun' - this is how you must train yourselI,
Rhula. (i.e. there is no room Ior 'white lies)
Anottappa (Recklessness / Lack of Moral Dread / Disregard of
Blame)
Characteristic: Absence oI dread on account oI shamelessness
Function: Doing evil things without dread
Manifestation: Not shrinking away Irom evil
Proximate Cause: Lack oI respect Ior others

Anottappa inhibits the Iear that should arise with unwholesome
actions, speech or thought. Anottappa is externally Iocused; it comes
Irom a lack oI respect Ior others. Just as a moth gets attracted by Iire
and is burned, anottappa is unaware oI the consequences, gets
attracted by evil and plunges into unwholesome deeds.
Page 35
Uddhacca (Restlessness / Distraction / Wavering)
Characteristic: Disquietude; mental excitement; lack oI
mindIulness
Function: To make the mind unsteady; wavering
Manifestation: Turmoil; whirling
Proximate Cause: Unwise attention (Ayoniso Manasikra) to
mental disquiet; unsystematic thought due to mental excitement
Regarded as: Mental distraction over an object oI excitement

Uddhacca is the opposite oI steadiness or calm; it can be translated as
conIusion or mental distraction over an object. Uddhacca makes the
mind unsteady and results in unsystematic thought due to mental
excitement. Uddhacca is not the same as the conventional term
'restlessness (an unpleasant mental state). Uddhacca is the Iactor
that inhibits us Irom applying ourselves to wholesome mental states.
Just as we cannot see a reIlection in a pot oI boiling water, the restless
mind cannot see the consequences oI evil deeds.
Greed-Rooted Mental States
There are eight lobha-mla mental states:
Eour mental states with pleasant Ieeling, Iour with indiIIerent
Ieeling. Mental states with pleasant Ieeling are accompanied by the
cetasika pti (enthusiasm), increasing their kammic weight.
Eour mental states accompanied by wrong view, Iour not
accompanied by wrong view (see section below on ditthi).
Eour spontaneous mental states and Iour prompted mental states.
Prompted mental states are accompanied by the cetasikas thna
(sloth) and middha (torpor); see section below on thna and middha.
Lobha (Greed / Attachment / Sensuous Desire)
Characteristic: Grasping an object
Function: Sticking
Manifestation: Not giving up
Proximate Cause: Seeing enjoyment in things that lead to bondage
Regarded as: Taking beings with it to states oI loss

To catch monkeys, hunters would tie a coconut with a small hole in it
to a tree. There would be Iood placed inside the coconut and the hole
would be large enough Ior the monkey to insert its hand to grasp the
Iood, but too small Ior the monkey to withdraw its hand while
Page 36
grasping the Iood. When the hunters would come to kill the monkey,
the monkey would struggle to escape, not realizing that the only thing
holding it back was its own greed; the monkey would not even
consider letting go oI the Iood in order to escape. Erom this example,
we can see that lobha has a characteristic oI grasping an object, a
Iunction oI sticking to the object, a maniIestation oI not giving up and
a proximate cause oI seeing enjoyment in things that lead to bondage.
The story oI the monkey hunters illustrate how lobha can be regarded
as taking beings with it to states oI loss.

The Iirst javana mental state in an existence is clinging to liIe
27
. This
type oI subtle clinging to existence is only uprooted by the Arahant.
Clinging to pleasures oI the senses (enjoying a taste, etc.) is not
uprooted until one is an Angm (the stage oI sainthood beIore
Arahant). It is easy to recognize the coarse Iorms oI lobha (greed,
covetousness, craving) but more diIIicult to recognize these subtle
types oI lobha.

Lobha arises extremely Irequently in our thoughts:
Politeness and pleasant speech can easily be motivated by a desire
to please others. Through mindIulness, we can become more
sincere in our behaviour.
BeIore and aIter doing kusala, we can be attached to the idea oI
'our kusala and 'our kamma
When we meditate, we can have a desire Ior results and this
attachment to results may inhibit progress; the purpose oI
meditating is to sit results come Irom proper practice, not Irom a
desire Ior results

In the Gandhabhaka Sutta (SNXLII.11), the Buddha explained that
craving is a source oI suIIering (dukkha). We experience dukkha
when those to whom we are attached experience problems. We do not
experience dukkha when those to whom we are not attached
experience problems. ThereIore, attachment leads to dukkha.

Just as drinking salty water can never quench one's thirst, lobha is
insatiable; it cannot be satisIied.

27
This illustrates oI Iutility oI trying to control the mind to block unwholesome
mental states. The mind cannot be controlled but it can be trained. II the mind is
properly trained, there is no possibility oI an unwholesome mental state arising and
there is no need Ior control.
Page 37
Ditthi (Wrong View / Evil Opinion)
Characteristic: Unwise or unjustiIied interpretation oI things;
unwise conviction
Function: Pre-assume; perversion
Manifestation: Wrong interpretation or belieI; wrong conviction
Proximate Cause: Unwillingness to see the noble ones (ariyans);
unwillingness to listen to the Dhamma; not realizing anicca, dukkha
and anatt
Regarded as: Highest Iault

All akusala mental states contain moha (delusion), but when there is
ditthi, one clings to a Ialse view. Ditthi leads one down the wrong path
by perverting one`s way oI thinking. Just as Right View is the
Ioundation oI the Noble EightIold Path, ditthi is the Ioundation oI the
wrong path. The Buddha said:
Monks, I know not of any other single thing so apt to cause the
arising of evil states not yet arisen, or if arisen, to cause their more-
becoming and increase, as wrong view Monks, I know not of any
other single thing so apt to cause the non-arising of good states not
yet arisen, or, if arisen, to cause their waning, as wrong view Monks,
I know not of any other single thing so apt to cause the arising of
wrong view, if not yet arisen, or the increase of wrong view, if
already arisen, as unwise attention. Monks, I know not of any other
single thing so apt, when body breaks up after death, to cause the
rebirth of beings in the Waste, the Way of Woe, the Downfall, in Hell,
as wrong view

Conditions leading to deviation Irom the right path can arise as long as
ditthi has not been uprooted. The Sotpanna has uprooted ditthi and
thereIore there are no conditions to break precepts or perIorm acts
that can result in rebirth in one oI the Iour woeIul planes. When one
does not cling anymore to the concept oI selI and sees realities as they
are, this will bear on one's actions, speech and thoughts. One has to
uproot ditthi beIore other deIilements can be uprooted.

Types oI wrong view capable oI causing an unhappy rebirth are:
There is no result oI kamma
There are no causes
There is no such thing as kamma

Page 38
Examples oI less serious wrong view include:
Personality view (sakkaya-ditthi): Body as selI, selI having body,
body being in the selI, selI as being in the body (the same Ior the
other Iour aggregates, Ior a total oI 20 views).
Ego-illusion (atta-ditthi): Believes in the existence oI a soul, ego or
liIe-entity within the body.
Taking concepts as reality
BelieI that wrong practice can uproot deIilements
Mna (Conceit / Pride)
Characteristic: Haughtiness
Function: SelI-praise
Manifestation: Desire to advertise selI like a banner
Proximate Cause: Greed disassociated Irom opinionativeness
Regarded as: A Iorm oI lunacy

The commentaries say that ditthi and mna are like two lions that
cannot live together in the same cave; they cannot arise at the same
time. Lobha-mla mental states with wrong view will never have
mna, but lobha-mla states without wrong view may or may not have
mna. The reason that mna and ditthi cannot arise at the same time is:
The nature oI mna is to compare, and comparison requires a
separating oI 'I Irom 'others ('I am strong implies that there
are others who are not strong).
The nature oI ditthi is to generalize ('is the nature oI kamma,
'is the nature oI selI, is the nature oI the world)

We normally think oI conceit or pride as arising only when we think
ourselves better than another person. However, mna includes all
Iorms oI comparison; 'better than, 'equal to and 'inIerior to. 'I
am luckier than he is is a Iorm oI mna. Racism, bigotry and
prejudice are all Iorms oI mna. Competition is driven by mna.

When we see an old and sick person and we think, 'I am young and
healthy, this is mna. Mna makes us blind to the Iact that we have
lived countless lives; youth and health are impermanent. Mna arises
oIten and there are subjects oI mna including birth, health, age,
position, wealth, appearance, physique, intelligence, reputation, skills,
accomplishment, popularity and being moral. What beneIit do we get
by comparing ourselves with others? Is mna not a source oI mental
intoxication?
Page 39
The thought, 'I will volunteer to teach Dhamma because I am a good
speaker is based on mna. This thought may condition a wholesome
action, but the thought itselI is unwholesome. This is an example oI
akusala being a condition Ior kusala.

Mna is so deeply ingrained that it remains until one becomes an
Arahant. Even though a Sotpanna has uprooted ditthi and no longer
has personality view or ego-illusion, mna can still arise. One may
think 'one's own nmas and rpas better, equal or less than someone
else's, even though one has realized that there is no selI.

Because of Lobha, one thinks, Mine
Because of Ditthi, one thinks, Me
Because of Mna, one thinks, I

Aversion-Rooted Mental States
There are only two aversion-rooted (dosa-mla) mental states,
spontaneous and prompted; they are easy to recognize because they
are always accompanied by unpleasant mental Ieeling. Within each oI
these two categories oI dosa-mla mental states, there are Iour sub-
sets according to the accompanying cetasikas:
Dosa (Aversion / Hatred / Anger)
Dosa Iss (Envy / Jealousy)
Dosa Macchariya (SelIishness / Avarice / Stinginess)
Dosa Kukkucca (Remorse / Worry / Regret / Brooding)
Dosa (Aversion / Hatred / Anger)
Characteristic: Eerocity; Ilying into anger; churlishness;
savageness
Function: Spread like a drop oI poison or burn up its own support
like a Iorest Iire (support is heart-base; i.e. takes a mental object)
Manifestation: Persecuting; oIIending; injuring
Proximate Cause: A ground Ior annoyance
Regarded as: Stale urine mixed with poison

Giving way to dosa is like picking up a red-hot iron rod to hit
somebody; we hurt ourselves Iirst and may not even land a blow.
Many oI the problems that we create Ior ourselves in our lives arise
because we do not understand the nature oI dosa.
Page 40
Myth Reality
The cause oI dosa is
outside oI us (the person,
the situation, etc.)
The cause oI dosa is internal to us (we
have a habit oI reacting with dosa and
dosa is a condition Ior more dosa)
The best way to deal
with dosa is suppression
The best way to deal with dosa is
mindIulness and understanding
Our anger can hurt and
control others
Our anger hurts and controls ourselves
(anger controls by reinIorcing bad habits)

When dosa arises regarding events in the past, one should not dwell on
it but one should acknowledge, Iorgive (including Iorgiving yourselI iI
there is guilt) and learn. This is the practice outlined in the Vinaya to
be Iollowed in the Sangha. When dosa arises regarding events in the
Iuture, this is Iear. Eear makes small things appear large. Eear induces
mental rigidity (one 'tenses up). Eear makes it diIIicult to learn how
to ride a bicycle.

The Buddha said, ' 'He abused me, he deIeated me, he robbed me`, in
those who harbour such thoughts hatred will not cease. Hatreds never
cease though hatred in this world; through mett alone they cease. This
is an eternal law. Regular mett meditation can train the mind to
react in a skillIul way depriving dosa oI a condition it needs to arise.
Iss (Envy / 1ealousy)
Characteristic: Being jealous oI other's success; not enduring the
prosperity oI others
Function: To be dissatisIied oI other's success; taking no delight in
the prosperity oI others
Manifestation: Aversion towards other's success; turning one's
Iace Irom the prosperity oI others
Proximate Cause: Other's success; prosperity oI others

Iss is outward looking, it Iocuses on others. Eor example, iss arises
when we are dissatisIied because somebody has a better liIe than ours.
We can train our minds to reduce the negative mental habit oI iss by
developing the positive habit oI mudit, sympathetic joy. To counter
iss, mudit can be cultivated by meditating, 'May all living beings
not be deprived oI the good Iortune they have attained.

Iss is reduced through the practice oI mudit. The Sotpanna, has no
more conditions Ior iss as they have eliminated the concept oI selI.
Page 41
Macchariya (Selfishness / Avarice / Stinginess)
Characteristic: Concealing one's success when it has been or can
be attained
Function: Not to bear sharing with others
Manifestation: Shrinking away Irom sharing; meanness or sour
Ieeling
Proximate Cause: One's own success
Regarded as: Mental ugliness

Macchariya is inward looking, it Iocuses on ourselves. Macchariya has
the characteristic oI concealing because one does not want to share. It
is meanness and should be regarded as mental ugliness.

There are no things we can possess, there are only nma and rpa.
Realities which arise and Iall away cannot belong to us. Why are we
stingy about what does not belong to us? We cannot take our
possessions, our money with us when we die. LiIe is so short; we
waste many opportunities Ior kusala because oI our stinginess. We
can reduce our accumulation toward macchariya by practicing dna.
Kukkucca (Remorse / Worry / Regret / Brooding)
Characteristic: Subsequent regret; repentance
Function: Sorrow over what has and what has not been done;
sorrow at deeds oI commission and omission
Manifestation: Remorse; regret
Proximate Cause: Wrongs oI commission and omission; akusala
kamma that has been committed and kusala kamma that has been
omitted
Regarded as: State oI bondage

When there is regret, there is also aversion towards the object that is
experienced. Repentance is considered a virtue, but kukkucca is not
wholesome. Kukkucca that regrets the arising oI akusala and the non-
arising oI kusala is diIIerent Irom the wholesome thinking about the
disadvantages oI akusala and the value oI kusala. Regret Iorms a pair
with restlessness (uddhacca) as one oI the Iive hindrances (nvaranas).
The hindrances are akusala cetasikas that hinder the perIorming oI
kusala. When regret arises there cannot be kusala at that moment.
Page 42
Thna (Sloth) and Middha (Torpor)

Thna
Characteristic: Lack oI driving power; absence oI striving;
opposition to striving; stiIIness
Function: To dispel energy; destruction oI energy
Manifestation: Sinking oI the mind; sinking oI the associated
states
Proximate Cause: Unwise attention to boredom; drowsiness;
unwise attention in not arousing oneselI Irom discontent, laziness
or indulgence
Regarded as: Paralysis due to lack oI urgency and loss oI vigour;
sickness oI the citta

Middha
Characteristic: Unwieldiness
Function: To smother; closing the doors oI consciousness
Manifestation: Drooping, nodding and sleepiness; shrinking in
taking the object; drowsiness
Proximate Cause: Unwise attention to boredom; drowsiness;
unwise attention in not arousing oneselI Irom discontent, laziness
or indulgence
Regarded as: Paralysis due to lack oI urgency and loss oI vigour;
sickness oI the cetasikas

Thna (sloth) and middha (torpor) always arise together; they arise in
the Iour lobha-mla mental states that are prompted and the one dosa-
mla mental state that is prompted. All prompted mental states have
thna and middha.

Thna is a sickness oI the citta while middha is a sickness oI the
cetasikas. These cetasikas make the mind unwieldy and lazy. Mental
states with thna and middha are passive whereas mental states
without thna or middha are active and spontaneous.

Page 43
Delusion-Rooted Mental States
There are two types oI delusion-rooted (moha-mla) mental states;
those with vicikicch (doubt) and those without vicikicch. Moha-mla
mental states without vicikicch are 'associated with restlessness as
uddhacca is the predominant cetasika in this mental state.
Vicikicch (Doubt)
Characteristic: Doubting; shiIting about
Function: To waver; mental wavering
Manifestation: Indecisiveness and taking various sides; indecision
or uncertainty in grasp
Proximate Cause: Unwise attention
Regarded as: Danger to attainment

Vicikicch is doubt about realities (nma and rpa), about cause and
result, about the Iour noble Truths and about Dependent Origination.
When doubt accompanies the mental state, there cannot be
determination (adhimokkha) which is sure about the object, neither can
there be wish-to-do (chanda) which searches Ior the object and wants
it. Doubt cannot be reduced by thinking; only direct experience
(practice) can reduce doubt. Doubt is uprooted by a Sotpanna; one
who sees things as they truly are (nma and rpa).

Training to Avoid Unwholesome Mental States
Delusion Observing the true nature oI realities, Vipassan
Shamelessness Consider one`s reputation
Recklessness Consider the consequences
Restlessness Calm the mind, Meditation on breathing
Greed Dna, Meditation on impermanence
Wrong View Study the Dhamma
Conceit Develop modesty
Hatred Practice loving kindness (mett), enthusiasm
Envy Practice sympathetic joy (mudit)
SelIishness Practice generosity (dna)
Remorse Eocus on present and plan Ior Iuture
Mediation on breathing
Sloth & Torpor EIIort to apply thinking about Dhamma
Meditation on light / walking / death
Doubt EIIort to sustain thinking about Dhamma
Page 44
Uprooting Akusala Mental States

S
o
t

p
a
n
n
a

(
S
t
r
e
a
m

W
i
n
n
e
r
)

S
a
k
a
d

(
O
n
c
e

R
e
t
u
r
n
e
r
)

A
n

(
N
o
n

R
e
t
u
r
n
e
r
)

A
r
a
h
a
n
t

(
E
n
l
i
g
h
t
e
n
e
d

O
n
e
)

Delusion
Uproots
ignorance
associated
with doubt

Uproots
ignorance
associated with
restlessness
Shamelessness
Uproots
shamelessness
Recklessness
Uproots
recklessness
Restlessness
Uproots
restlessness
Greed
Uproots
greed
associated
with wrong
view
Weakens
sensuous
clinging
Uproots
sensuous
clinging
Uproots clinging
to existence
Wrong View
Uproots
wrong view

Conceit Uproots conceit
Hatred
Weakens
hatred
Uproots
hatred

Envy
Uproots
envy

Selfishness
Uproots
selIishness

Remorse
Uproots
remorse
regarding
akusala
kamma

Uproots
all
remorse
(hatred
no longer
arises)

Sloth Uproots sloth
Torpor Uproots torpor
Doubt
Uproots
doubt

Page 45
Universal Wholesome Mental Factors
Wholesome mental Iactors never arise together with unwholesome
mental Iactors. The Iollowing nineteen universal wholesome mental
Iactors arise in every wholesome mental state.
Saddh (Faith / Confidence / Conviction / Trust)
Characteristic: Placing Iaith or trusting; conIiding, puriIying or
aspiring
Function: ClariIy or set Iorth; puriIying
Manifestation: Non-Iogginess; Ireedom Irom pollution
Proximate Cause: Something to place Iaith in; an object worthy oI
Iaith or Iactors oI 'streamwinning (association with the right
Iriend, hearing the Dhamma, wise attention and practice in
accordance with the Dhamma)
Regarded as: Eorerunner oI all wholesomeness

Saddh is the leader oI all kusala cetasikas. There is Saddh with dna,
with sla and with bhvan. Only when people have conIidence in the
value oI dna, sla or bhvan will they apply themselves to it.

There are diIIerent types oI Iaith. A group oI people gathered on the
edge oI a Ilooding stream want to go to the Iar shore but are aIraid. In
this analogy the near shore is our usual conIused condition and the Iar
shore is the awakened mind. The people psyche themselves up, 'we
can do it, but they have no idea what to do. This is blind Iaith. A wise
person comes along, assesses the situation, takes a running leap and
jumps to the other side. Seeing the example oI that person, the others
say, Yes, it can be done. That is a diIIerent type oI Iaith. Then the
people also jump. AIter they have jumped, they look back and say,
'Yes, it can be done and this is yet another type oI Iaith.

When a Buddhist takes reIuge in the Triple Gem, their Iaith should be
reasoned and rooted in understanding. He is asked to investigate or
test the object oI his Iaith. A Buddhist's Iaith is not in conIlict with the
spirit oI enquiry; doubt over dubious things is allowed and inquiry into
them is encouraged. The Iamous Kalama Sutta (AN III.65)
discourages 'blind Iaith and encourages 'reasoned conIidence.

Page 46
Manussa is unhappy. He is unhappy because he is in
jail. His crime? Craving. His
sentence? LiIe imprisonment.
The prison? Samsra.

Dukkha
He had just Iinished a liIe term
Ior the crime oI craving and as
soon as he was released, he was
thrown back into the prison oI
Samsra Ior the same crime.
One day, the Buddha appeared.

Like you, I used to

be a prisoner in Samsra.
I escaped and I showed my
Iriends, the Ariyas, how
to escape as well.

Page 47
Manussa decided to put the key
on the wall. He worshiped the
key, hoping that it would
release him Irom Samsra.
Manussa needed Iaith to believe
that there was a door and that
the key could work. However,
to get out oI Samsra, eIIort
is needed. Without right
effort, the key is useless!

This key is Irom
the Buddha!
The Buddha gave Manussa a key.
The Buddha disappeared leaving
the key behind. UnIortunately,
Manussa lacked wisdom (pa)
and wasn`t sure what to do with
the key.

?

This key opens the

door to the prison oI
Samsra. To use it, you must
walk to the door, put the key
in the keyhole, turn the
key and open the door.


Page 48
Saddh
(Faith)
Saddh
(Faith)
Saddh
(Faith)
Saddh
(Faith)
Pa
(Wisdom)
Viriya
(Energy)
Samdhi
(Concentration)
Sati
(Mindfulness)
Blind
Faith
No
Exertion
Easily
Distracted
No
Foundation
Cunning
No
Resolve
No
Absorption
Excessive
Saddh
Insufficient
Saddh
No
Comprehension


Saddh is one oI the controlling Iaculties (indriya) that exercise
leadership over the accompanied mental states. Spiritual progress
depends on the emergence oI indriya; as we progress the indriya
dominate and shape our thoughts. As shown above, saddh must be
balanced with the other indriya.
Sati (Mindfulness / Attentiveness)
Characteristic: Not Iloating away Irom the object; acquiring or
taking up what is beneIicial
Function: UnIorgetIulness; absence oI conIusion
Manifestation: Guarding or state oI Iacing the object
Proximate Cause: Eirm remembrance (sa); strong perception or
the Iour Ioundations oI mindIulness (rpa, Ieeling, citta and
Dhamma)
Regarded as: Door-post Irom being Iirmly established in the
object / door-keeper Irom guarding the door oI the senses

Sati is diIIerent Irom what is meant by mindIulness in conventional
language. One may think that he is mindIul when he directs his
attention to what he is doing or to what is going on around him. That
is not the characteristic oI sati in the development oI insight. Sati in
vipassan is mindIul oI nma or rpa which appears, without there
being a thought oI selI who makes an eIIort or who is directing the
attention to an object.

Page 49
When you Iirst become aware oI something there is a Ileeting instant
oI pure awareness just beIore you conceptualize the thing and beIore
you identiIy or name it. That is a stage oI sati. Sati is a soItly Ilowing
moment oI pure experience that is interlocked with the rest oI reality,
not separate Irom it. Terms used to characterize Sati include:
mirror-thought - only reIlects what is presently happening and in
exactly the way it is happening; there are no biases
non-judgmental observation - observes things in their natural
state without criticism or judgment
impartial watchfulness - does not take sides; no clinging to the
pleasant, no Ileeing Irom the unpleasant
non-conceptual awareness - 'bare attention', not thinking; it
registers experiences, but it does not compare them (like seeing
everything Ior the Iirst time)
present-time awareness - stays Iorever in the present moment
non-egoistic alertness - no reIerence to selI
goalless awareness - does not try to accomplish anything
awareness of change - watches the Ilow oI the show
participatory observation - the meditator is both the participant
and the observer at the same time

People who lack sati must chase aIter Dhamma, but Dhamma chases
aIter those who have sati.

The Suttas deIine objects oI right mindIulness according to the
Satipatthna Sutta (MN 10); contemplation oI the body, contemplation
oI Ieelings, contemplation oI consciousness and contemplation oI
mental objects.

The Abhidhammattha Sangaha
28
deIines Iorty possible meditation
subjects and prescribes the most suitable type oI meditation object
based on the temperament oI the meditator. Meditation subjects are
also listed according to the stage oI development
29
they can support.
The text also deIines which meditation objects can lead to which
jhnas.

28
See page 4
29
Preliminary, access and absorption
Page 50
Hiri (Moral Shame / Conscience / Scruples / Modesty) and
Ottappa (Fear of Blame / Moral Dread / Shame)

Hiri
Characteristic: Disgust at bodily and verbal misconduct
Function: Not doing evil because oI modesty
Manifestation: Shrinking Irom evil because oI modesty
Proximate Cause: SelI-respect
Regarded as: Opposite oI Ahirika

Ottappa
Characteristic: Dread oI evil
Function: Not doing evil because oI dread
Manifestation: Shrinking Irom evil because oI dread
Proximate Cause: Respect Ior others
Regarded as: Opposite oI Anottappa

Hiri and ottappa are the Ioundation oI morality (sla). The Buddha
reIerred to hiri and ottappa as the guardians oI the world, because
without them, human society would degenerate into promiscuous
animal-like behaviour. Hiri and ottappa are united in the common task
oI protecting the mind Irom moral deIilement. They are the opposites
oI ahirika and anottapa.

Hiri, the sense oI shame, has an internal reIerence; it is rooted in selI-
respect and induces us to shrink Irom wrongdoing out oI a Ieeling oI
personal honour. Ottappa, Iear oI wrongdoing, has an external
orientation. It is the voice oI conscience that warns us oI the dire
consequences oI moral transgression: blame and punishment by others
or the painIul kammic results oI evil deeds.

The commentary illustrates the diIIerence between the two with the
simile oI an iron rod smeared with excrement at one end and heated to
a glow at the other end: Hiri is like one's disgust at grabbing the rod in
the place where it is smeared with excrement, ottappa is like one's Iear
oI grabbing it in the place where it is red hot.
Page 51
Alobha (Non-attachment / Unselfishness / Greedlessness /
Generosity)
Characteristic: Mind's lack oI desire Ior its object; non-adherence
like a water drop on a lotus leaI
Function: Not appropriating; not to lay hold
Manifestation: Detachment; like a man Iallen into a Ioul place
Proximate Cause: Samm Manasikra (right attention) - absence
oI greed; renunciation

The three beautiIul roots are alobha, adosa and pa. Alobha and
adosa cetasikas accompany all beautiIul mental states while pa
only accompanies selected mental states.

Though alobha is Iound in all wholesome mental states, it is the
Ioundation oI the acts oI giving (dna) and nekkhamma (renunciation),
two oI the ten pramis (perIections)
30
.

Planning the act oI giving, perIorming the act oI giving and recalling
the act oI giving are all wholesome mental states where there is alobha
toward the object that is being given.

Many people believe that renunciation involves becoming a monk or a
nun. This is not true. Renunciation arises whenever there is a
withdrawing Irom sense pleasures and is motivated by a sense oI
spiritual urgency.
Adosa (Hatelessness / Goodwill / Non-aversion / Non-hate)
Characteristic: Ereedom Irom churlishness, resentment, savagery
or violence; non-opposing
Function: Destroying vexation / dispelling distress; removing
annoyance
Manifestation: Being pleasing; agreeableness
Proximate Cause: Samm Manasikra (right attention) - seeing
things as being lovable

Though adosa is Iound in all wholesome mental states, it is the
Ioundation oI the actions oI loving kindness (mett) and patience
(khanti), another two oI the ten pramis (perIections).

30
Pramis are the ten qualities leading to Buddhahood that were developed and
brought to maturity by the Bodhisatta in past existences
Page 52
Mett is adosa directed toward sentient beings while patience is adosa
directed toward beings or situations. Mett is the Ieeling oI a mother
toward her only child. Patience means acceptance; it allows us to
endure and tolerate both the undesirable and the desirable (we tolerate
the desirable by not clinging to it).
Tatramajjhattat (Equanimity / Mental Balance)
Characteristic: Conveying citta and cetasikas evenly; promoting
neutrality toward beings
Function: Prevent deIiciency and excess / inhibit partiality; see
equality in beings
Manifestation: Neutrality; quieting oI resentment or approval
Proximate Cause: Samm Manasikra (right attention) - neither
too attentive nor inattentive; seeing the ownership oI kamma

Tatramajjhattat is even-mindedness that does not give mental states
such as lobha or dosa a Ioothold. Tatramajjhattat arises when we
reIlect on the Iact that all beings are heirs to their own kamma. This
cetasika is Irequently conIused with upekkh, neutral mental Ieeling.

The Six Pairs
These twelve (6 x 2) cetasikas arise in every wholesome mental state:
Tranquility: Tranquility is the inner peace bestowed by any moral
thought; the peace oI an unruIIled conscience; a cool mind. It
can be regarded as the opponent of anxiety, restlessness (uddhacca)
and worry (kukkucca) which cause disturbance.
Agility / Lightness / Buoyancy: Agility (presence oI mind) allows
the mind to quickly react once an occasion to do a good deed arises
as the opportunity may not arise again; agility has a stimulating
inIluence on tranquility and tranquility has a moderating inIluence
on agility. It can be regarded as the opponent oI sloth and torpor,
which cause heaviness and sluggishness.
Pliancy / Elasticity: Pliancy oI the mind implies susceptibility,
resilience and adaptability, it is the ability to learn and unlearn
based on experience. It increases the mind`s imaginative capacity. It
allows one to rise above habits and prejudice and conditions
patience. It allows us to adapt quickly in a wholesome way when
there are contrary events (i.e. stuck in a traIIic jam). It can be
regarded as the opponent oI opinionatedness (ditthi) and conceit,
which cause mental rigidity and obstruction.
P
a
g
e

5
3

Characteristic
Salient quality
of phenomena
Function
Performance of Task /
Achievement of Goal
Manifestation
Way it presents itself
in an experience
Proximate Cause
Principal condition
on which it depends
Quieting down of
disturbances of
citta & cetasikas
Tranquility
Crushing the suffering of
citta & cetasikas; crushing
disturbances of
citta & cetasikas
Neutrality; Unwavering
and cool state of citta &
cetasikas; peacefulness /
coolness
Citta & cetasikas
Suppressing the
heaviness of
citta & cetasikas
Agility
Crushing heaviness in
citta & cetasikas caused by
sloth & torpor
Opposition to sluggishness
in citta & cetasikas
Citta & cetasikas
Suppressing the
rigidity of citta &
cetasikas
Pliancy
Crushing the rigidity of citta
& cetasikas caused by wrong
view and conceit
Setting up no resistance Citta & cetasikas
Suppressing the
unwieldiness of
citta & cetasikas
Adaptability
Crushing the unwieldiness of
citta & cetasikas caused by
sensual desire and hate
Success of the mind in
making something of an
object
Citta & cetasikas
Proficiency
Healthiness / fitness
/ competence of the
citta & cetasikas
Crush unhealthiness of the
citta and cetasikas caused by
lack of faith
Absence of disability Citta & cetasikas
Uprightness
Uprightness of the
citta & cetasikas
Crush tortuousness of the
citta & cetasikas caused by
hypocrisy and fraudulence
Non-crookedness Citta & cetasikas
Six Pairs
For example, there are two Tranquility cetasikas one works on the citta
while the other works on the other cetasikas. In this way, there are six pairs.

Page 54
Adaptability / Workableness: PerIect adaptability means that
Iirmness and soItness oI the mind are in the right proportion to
permit the greatest eIIiciency oI spiritual development; it is the
right balance oI Iirmness and soItness. Excessive rigidity makes the
mind diIIicult to transIorm while excessive pliancy makes the mind
too impressionable. Sensual desire makes the mind too soIt
whereas hate makes the mind too Iirm. Pliancy is a Iundamental
condition oI adaptability and adaptability sets a limit to the amount
oI pliancy desired. It can be regarded as the opponent oI sensual
desire and hate.
Proficiency: Lack oI proIiciency appears as inner uncertainty and
lack oI selI-conIidence. ProIiciency is increased with repetition.
With proIiciency, kusala actions become spontaneous. ProIiciency
gives agility the sureness and smoothness oI movement that comes
Irom long practice. Agility, the capacity to adapt, prevents
proIiciency Irom becoming an inIlexible habit. It can be regarded
as the opponent oI Iaithlessness which causes unhealthiness oI citta
and cetasikas.
Uprightness / Rectitude: Uprightness prevents a mental state
Irom being called kusala when there are selIish secondary
motives. It helps us put kusala thoughts into actions without motive
oI getting rewarded. Uprightness prevents the agility and pliancy oI
the mind Irom Ialling into insincerity. Agility and pliancy ensure
that uprightness does not grow unimaginative and rigid to impair
adaptability. It can be regarded as the opponent oI insincerity,
hypocrisy and Iraudulence which create crookedness.

Recognizing mental states rooted in aversion is easy as the associated
mental Ieelings are unpleasant. Mental states with pleasant or neutral
Ieeling can be either wholesome or unwholesome. We can use the six
pairs to help us recognize the diIIerence between wholesome and
unwholesome states.

In the table below, we compare the mental state oI a person who
'enjoyed listening to a Dhamma talk (unwholesome) with the mental
state oI a person who 'listened to the Dhamma talk with joy
(wholesome). In reality, it is never as clear cut as this, the mind can
alternate rapidly between wholesome and unwholesome mental states.


Page 55

I enjoyed listening to
the Dhamma Talk
I listened to the Dhamma
talk with joy
Tranquility I remember the amusing
stories Irom the Dhamma
talk. My pleasant Ieeling
is mixed with excitement
and agitation (uddhacca).
I am suIIused with a warm
Ieeling Irom being in the
presence oI something
beautiIul. I am patient to listen
to the Dhamma so that I will
have more understanding. I have
no anxieties, 'Do I have enough
progress in the Dhamma
because I know it all depends on
conditions. I do not Iorget the
goal oI the teachings.
Agility The Dhamma talk is
Iinished; 'the show is
over. There are
conditions Ior apathy,
sloth and torpor.
I leave the Dhamma talk
inspired to take positive action.
My mind is ready to quickly
seize an opportunity Ior kusala
actions.
Pliancy I Iocus on my enjoyment
oI the experience. My
Iocus is on myselI, not on
the Dhamma. There is a
strong sense oI conceit.
I Iocus on the application oI the
Dhamma. My mind is naturally
spreading the Dhamma learned
to various aspects oI my liIe.
Adaptability Though I enjoyed the
Dhamma talk, I would
say that there were both
'Iun parts and 'boring
parts. I classiIy portions
oI the talk as either good
or bad thereby making my
mind less workable.
I leave the talk with an even
balance oI mudut (pliancy);
not too little so as to resist
changing my mind, not too
much so as to have the
impressions oI the Dhamma
overwritten by the next
sensation.
Proficiency I will soon Ieel dukkha. I
will miss the Iun
experience oI the
Dhamma talk. My mental
state is 'sickly.
I have perIormed a kusala
action by listening to the
Dhamma talk and I am aware
oI this Iact. This awareness
gives my mental state
conIidence and strength.
Uprightness I remember who saw me
attend the Dhamma talk
and am pleased that I will
be considered by others to
be religious. There is a
superIicial hypocrisy in
my mental state.
I am Ieeling a spontaneous love
oI the Dhamma. My volition is
pure. As it is cetan that
determines the moral quality oI
any action, the kammic eIIect
oI attending the Dhamma talk
Ior me will be signiIicant.
Page 56
Occasional Wholesome Mental Factors
The Iollowing six occasional mental Iactors arise in some, but not all
wholesome mental states.
The Three Abstinences
The three abstinences correspond to the morality (sla) group oI the
Noble EightIold Path. They are as Iollows:
Vaci-duccarita Virati (Abstinence Irom Wrong Speech)
Kya-duccarita Virati (Abstinence Irom Wrong Action)
Ajva-duccarita Virati (Abstinence Irom Wrong Livelihood)

Characteristic of abstinence from wrong speech: Non-
transgression by wrong speech (Ialse speech, slanderous speech,
harsh speech, idle chatter)
Characteristic of abstinence from wrong action: Non-
transgression by bodily misconduct (killing, stealing, sexual
misconduct)
Characteristic of abstinence from wrong livelihood: Non-
transgression by wrong livelihood (trading in weapons, Ilesh, spirits,
poisons, etc. / taking bribes, etc.)
Function of all three abstinences: Shrink back Irom evil deeds
Manifestation of all three abstinences: Abstinence Irom evil
deeds
Proximate Cause of all three abstinences: Eaith, shame, Iear oI
wrongdoing, Iewness oI wishes
All three abstinences can be regarded as: Produced by the state
oI the mind averted Irom evil action

The abstinences arise one at a time
31
when the opportunity presents
itselI (we can only abstain Irom one thing at a time). There are
diIIerent degrees oI abstinence:
Abstaining in spite oI opportunity obtained (momentary)
Abstaining because oI observance oI precepts (temporary)
Abstaining by way oI eradication (permanent, Ior saints)

We may reIrain Irom wrong speech, action or livelhood because oI
ignorance or with aversion, but this is not a wholesome mental state.
When we abstain Irom wrong speech, action or livelihood with
kindness and patience, this is a wholesome mental state.

31
In supramundane mental states, all three arise simultaneously as path Iactors
Page 57
Eor a Sotpanna, wrong action and wrong livelihood have been
eradicated; the possibility oI wrong speech remains, but not serious
enough to cause rebirth in woeIul state. The Sakadgm Iurther
weakens wrong speech; Angm eradicates slandering and harsh
speech. Only the Arahant eradicates idle chatter.

There are degrees oI the three abstinences; they can arise with or
without understanding. When they are accompanied by right
understanding oI the Noble EightIold Path they have a higher degree
oI purity, because at that moment there is no notion oI selI who
abstains Irom evil.
Karun (Compassion)
Characteristic: Promoting the removal oI suIIering in others
Function: Not being able to bear other`s suIIering
Manifestation: Non-cruelty
Proximate Cause: Seeing helplessness in those overwhelmed by
suIIering
Regarded as: Succeeding when it makes cruelty subside and
Iailing when it produces sorrow

Karun arises when one perceives helplessness in those overwhelmed
by suIIering. When karun arises, the mind cannot bear others`
suIIering and wants to remove that suIIering. Karun is the opposite
oI cruelty.

The motives oI loving-kindness and compassion are diIIerent. When
we visit a sick person, we may oIIer them Ilowers and wish them well;
these are moments oI loving-kindness (mett - treating others as
Iriends). When we notice their suIIering, moments oI compassion
(karun - wishing to allay their suIIering) may arise.

Aversion is the 'near enemy oI compassion; it displaces compassion
through stealth. When we visit a sick person we may have moments oI
compassion where we wish that the person`s suIIering be reduced.
The next moment, we may be thinking oI the person`s sickness with
aversion or Iear. The Iollowing moment, we may be thinking about
aversion about the injustice oI the situation. Eeelings oI injustice
leading to aversion can arise when we Ieel that we are not in control
oI a situation. When the unwholesome thoughts rooted in aversion
arise, they push aside the wholesome thought oI compassion.
Page 58
Mudit (Sympathetic 1oy / Appreciative 1oy)
Characteristic: Gladness at the success oI others
Function: Being unenvious at other's success
Manifestation: Elimination oI aversion
Proximate Cause: Seeing the success oI others
Regarded as: Succeeding when it makes aversion (boredom)
subside and Iailing when it produces merriment

Mudit means appreciative joy at the success and good Iortune oI
others. Sympathetic joy is the Ieeling oI a parent or a teacher when a
child excels.

The Iar enemy oI mudit is aversion (boredom). The near enemy oI
mudit is joy based on the home liIe, as both share in seeing success.
When we say to someone else: What a beautiIul garden you have,
there may be moments oI sympathetic joy, sincere approval oI his
good Iortune, but there may also be moments with attachment to
pleasant objects.
Pa (Wisdom / Understanding)
Characteristic: Penetrating things according to their intrinsic
nature
Function: Illuminate the objective Iield like a lamp
Manifestation: Non-bewilderment
Proximate Cause: Wise attention

There are ten bases oI meritorious deeds:

Dna Group Sla Group Bhavna Group
1. Generosity
2. TransIerence
oI merit
3. Rejoicing in
others' merit
4. Virtue
5. Reverence
6. Service
7. Meditation
8. Hearing the Dhamma
9. Teaching the Dhamma
10. Straightening out
one's view

Deeds in the dna group and deeds in the sla group do not require
pa. Deeds in the bhavna group require pa.
Page 59
When one considers the beneIits oI wholesome actions or when
considers that liIe is short, there is pa, even iI one proIesses
another religion.

One sits practicing meditation and one`s mind is restless:
Samatha (to develop samdhi): one has pa to recognize the
restless mind and use samdhi to bring the mind back to the object
Vipassan (to develop pa): one has pa to recognize the
nature oI the mind (anicca, dukkha, anatt)

Both approaches to meditation require Iixing the mind in the present
moment (satipatthna).

BeIore the Buddha, yogis were able to achieve the highest jhnas, but
were not able to uproot deIilements. The purpose oI the Buddha`s
teachings is to uproot deIilements to obtain Nibbna. This requires the
kind oI pa based on direct understanding oI nma and rpa.
Summary of Wholesome Mental Factors
All wholesome mental states are:
Confident (saddh): There is conIidence in the value oI
wholesomeness. One might call this 'Iaith, but this Iaith is not
blind. This conIidence pushes aside any doubt in the mind.
Mindful (sati): The mind is not conIused or distracted. The mind is
in the present and it is connected with what is happening at the
moment.
Driven by conscience (hiri): Driven by selI-respect, the mind is
guided by a sense morality to do what is wholesome.
Afraid of doing wrong (ottappa): Driven by a respect Ior others,
the mind Iollows the golden rule, 'Do unto others as you would
have them do unto you
Greedless (alobha): The mind is not looking to satisIy itselI. When
this Iactor is strong, there can be generosity (dna) or renunciation
(nekkhamma).
Without aversion (adosa): The mind is pleasant and agreeable.
When this Iactor is strong, there can be loving kindness (mett) or
patience (khanti).
Balanced (tatramajjhattat): The mind cannot be dragged into
clinging or aversion.

Page 60
Tranquil: The mind has a peaceIul, cool calmness; it is not
agitated or restless.
Agile: The mind is light and quick to respond to opportunities to do
good things. Agility has a stimulating inIluence on tranquility and
tranquility has a moderating inIluence on agility.
Pliable: The mind is pliable enough to swim 'against the stream
oI the unwholesome habits that tend to sweep the mind along.
Adaptable: The mind is not so rigid as to make it diIIicult to
transIorm and at the same time, it is not so pliable as to make it too
impressionable. Elasticity is a Iundamental condition oI
adaptability and adaptability sets a limit to the amount oI elasticity
desired.
Proficient: The mind perIorms with skill, like an Olympic athlete.
ProIiciency gives agility the sureness and smoothness oI movement
that comes Irom long practice. Agility, the capacity to adapt,
prevents proIiciency Irom becoming an inIlexible habit.
Upright: The mind is sincere. Uprightness prevents the agility and
elasticity oI the mind Irom Ialling into insincerity. Agility and
elasticity ensure that uprightness does not grow unimaginative and
rigid to impair adaptability.

Occasionally, some wholesome mental states can be driven by:
Avoidance of wrong speech (vaci-duccarita virati) / Avoidance
of wrong action (kya-duccarita virati) / Avoidance of wrong
livelihood (jva-duccarita virati): When opportunities Ior wrong
speech, wrong action or wrong livelihood arise, a wholesome
mental state can arise that abstains Irom them. This can be
momentary avoidance in spite oI opportunity or as part oI a
precept.
Compassion (karun): When one sees helplessness in those
overwhelmed by suIIering, compassion can arise. This is the
opposite oI cruelty.
Sympathetic 1oy (mudit): When one sees another`s success,
sympathetic joy can arise. This is the opposite oI envy and jealousy.
Wisdom (pa): Whenever we perIorm deeds oI generosity
(dna) or observe morality (sla), wisdom may or may not arise.
However, when we apply ourselves to mental development
(bhvan), which includes studying the Dhamma, teaching the
Dhamma and meditation, wisdom will always arise.
Page 61

In All Mental States In Some Mental States
Contact / Sense Impression
Eeeling / Sensation
Perception / Recognition
Volition / Intention / Will
One-pointedness / Concentration
LiIe Eaculty / Vitality
Attention / Advertence / ReIlection
Initial Application / Applied
Thinking
Sustained Application / Discursive
Thinking
Determination / Decision
Energy / EIIort / Exertion
Enthusiasm / Zest / Rapture / Interest
Desire / Zeal / Wish

In All Unwholesome Mental States In Some Unwholesome Mental States
Delusion / Ignorance / Dullness
Shamelessness / No Conscience
Recklessness / Lack oI Moral Dread
Restlessness / Distraction / Wavering
Greed / Attachment / Sensuous
Desire
Wrong View / Evil Opinion
Conceit / Pride
Aversion / Hatred / Anger
Envy / Jealousy
SelIishness / Avarice / Stinginess
Remorse / Worry / Regret / Brooding
Sloth
Torpor
Doubt

In All Wholesome Mental States In Some Wholesome Mental States
Eaith / ConIidence / Conviction /
Trust
MindIulness / Attentiveness
Moral Shame / Conscience / Scruples
/ Modesty
Eear oI Blame / Moral Dread
Non-attachment / UnselIishness / No
Greed / Generosity
Non-Hate / Goodwill / Non-aversion
Equanimity / Mental Balance
Tranquility oI citta & cetasikas
Agility / Lightness / Buoyancy oI
citta & cetasikas
Pliancy / Elasticity oI citta &
cetasikas
Wieldiness / Adaptability /
Workableness oI citta & cetasikas
ProIiciency oI citta & cetasikas
Uprightness / Rectitude oI citta &
cetasikas
Abstinence Irom Wrong Speech
Abstinence Irom Wrong Action
Abstinence Irom Wrong Livelihood
Compassion
Sympathetic Joy / Appreciative Joy
Wisdom / Understanding
Page 62
Rpa Non-mental Phenomenon
In the Buddha`s teachings, rpa is the term Ior all things that are non-
mental
32
. Rpa can be contrasted with nma; nma has consciousness
and experiences an object, rpa does not.

To understand how the Buddha analyzed rpa, one must understand
why the Buddha analyzed rpa. Consider a 'glass oI water:
A chemist may look at it as H
2
O
A physicist may look at it as electrons, protons and neutrons
An artist may look at it as a way to lighten the pigment oI his
watercolour paints
A housewiIe may look at it as a way to make her cake moist

The Honeyball Sutta (MN 18) shows the role oI rpa in the Buddha`s
teachings, 'Dependent on eye & Iorms, eye-consciousness arises:
Eye is the rpa 'eye-sensitivity, the sensitive part oI the eye which
is capable oI seeing. Eye-sensitivity exists only in the physical eye.
Eye-sensitivity is also the basis oI support Ior the nma eye-
consciousness (in the sensuous planes oI existence, all nma must
be supported by rpa
33
).
Eorm is the rpa 'visible-object, the instantaneous image that
presents itselI to the eye. It is a complete image; it is not a 'tree or
a 'Ilower ('tree and 'Ilower are concepts, they are not real).
Eye-consciousness is a nma, the mental state that perIorms the
Iunction oI seeing. According to the Abhidhamma, this mental
state has eye-sensitivity as base whereas the other mental states in
the sense door process have the rpa 'heart-base (the base Ior the
mind) as their base.

The Honeyball Sutta also lists the other Iour physical senses:
'Dependent on ear & sounds, ear-consciousness arises
'Dependent on nose & aromas, nose-consciousness arises
'Dependent on tongue & Ilavors, tongue-consciousness arises
'Dependent on body & tactile sensations, body-consciousness
arises

32
Many translate rpa as 'matter, but rpa is broader in scope than 'matter
33
In the immaterial planes oI existence, nma exists without support oI rpa in the
same way that an object, thrown in the air, exists without support Ior a time
Page 63
Visible Object (Rpa)
Eye Sensitivity
(Rpa)
Eye-
Consciousness
(Nma)

So how does a Buddhist perceive a 'glass oI water
34
?
When perceived through the eye-door, it is a visible object
When perceived through the nose-door, it is an odour
When perceived through the tongue-door, it is a Ilavour
When perceived through the body-door, it is a combination oI
hardness, temperature and pressure

Mental State (Nma) Sensitivity / Base (Rpa) Type of Object (Rpa)
Eye-consciousness Eye-sensitivity Visible object (image)
Ear-consciousness Ear-sensitivity Audible object (sound)
Nose-consciousness Nose-sensitivity Odour
Tongue-consciousness Tongue-sensitivity Elavour
Body-consciousness Body-sensitivity Hardness
Temperature
Pressure

According to the Abhidhamma, a 'glass oI water is a collection oI:
Hardness (earth element) perceived through the body-door
Temperature (Iire element) perceived through the body-door
Pressure (wind element) perceived through the body door as the
pressure the object exerts either through it`s resilience, because oI
the Iorce oI gravity or the object`s tendency to move
Cohesion (water element) perceived through the mind-door as the
element which binds all oI the other elements together
Visible object / image perceived through the eye-door
Odour perceived through the nose door
Elavour perceived through the tongue door
Nutrition perceived through the mind-door as that which sustains
the liIe Iaculty when ingested
Space perceived through the mind-door as that which maintains
separation between all the rpas


34
A glass oI water is silent, so it is not perceived through the ear-door
Page 64
Considering all non-living things to be 'equivalent (i.e. consisting oI
the same set oI rpas
35
) may seem quite un-scientiIic. However, this is
a reIlection oI the Buddha`s objective in analyzing rpa. Buddhism is
not interested in how rpa interacts with other rpa; this is the domain
oI sciences such as physics and chemistry. The Buddha`s Iocus was on
how the mind interacts with rpa as it is the mind which leads one to
live a holy liIe and leads one to Nibbna.

In the Suttas, the Buddha oIten talked about non-mental phenomenon
as 'earth, 'water, 'Iire and 'wind. Taken at Iace value, this may
lead one to conclude that the Buddha`s view oI the world was similar
to the 'non-scientiIic views oI ancient Greeks or ancient Chinese. In
the Mlapiriyya Sutta (Mn 1) the Buddha explained, 'The
uninstructed worldling (that`s us) perceives earth as earth (water as
water, etc.) The trainee (one who has attained the Iirst stage oI
sainthood) directly knows earth as earth (water as water, etc.) The
commentary explains that 'perceiving earth as earth involves a
misapprehension oI the rpa caused by deIilements and wrong views
36
.
This distortion is the Ioundation Ior mental proliIeration (papaca)
which Iurther clouds the true nature oI the rpa. When the Buddha
talks oI 'earth, He is reIerring to hardness or solidity; a phenomenon
that is known through the body-sense.

Rpa as object oI
sense door process
Distortion oI perception
(sa-vipallsa) and
mental proliIeration
(papaca) Irom many
mind door processes
Clouded view oI rpa
(taken as real)


35
Non-living things may also have a rpa oI 'audible object iI they make a sound
36
Perversion oI perception (sa-vipallsa)
Page 65
Earth, water, Iire and wind are called the 'great essentials and the
other rpas are called 'derived rpas because they depend on the
great essentials. The commentary uses this delineation to explain why
eye-, ear-, nose- and tongue-sensitivity mental states arise with neutral
Ieeling while body-sensitivity mental states arise with either pleasant
or painIul Ieeling
37
. The commentary associates the great essentials
with the solid metal oI an anvil or a hammer while the derived rpas
are like cotton balls. When eye-, ear-, nose- or tongue-sensitivity is
struck by an object, it is like striking an anvil covered with a cotton
ball with another cotton ball (no Ieeling detected). When body-
sensitivity is struck by an object, it is like an anvil covered with a
cotton ball with a hammer (Ieeling is detected).

Derived
Rpa
Great
Essential
Eye-, ear-, nose-, tongue-sensitivity
Derived
Rpa
Visible object, sound, smell, taste
Hardness,
Temperature
or Pressure
Derived
Rpa
Great
Essential
Body-sensitivity
Great Essential

All non-living things have the rpas listed above. Living things also
have a rpa called 'liIe-Iaculty (jvitindriya
38
). Some living things (or
parts oI living things) may also have the Iollowing rpas:
Eye-sensitivity (part oI the eye)
Ear-sensitivity (part oI the ear)
Nose-sensitivity (part oI the nose)
Tongue-sensitivity (part oI the tongue)
Body-sensitivity (all over the body)
Heart-base (supports the mind)
Masculinity (pervades the male body)
Eemininity (pervades the Iemale body)

37
See Mental States #13 to #17 and #20 to #24 in Appendix I
38
Not be conIused with the universal mental Iactor with the same name
Page 66
The Abhidhamma lists 'bodily intimation and 'vocal intimation as
rpas (they do not know anything). Bodily intimation is movement oI
the body, oI the limbs, Iacial movement or gestures. Vocal intimation
is the tone and content oI the speech. These rpas communicate our
intentions, ideas, Ieelings and attitudes. The intention which is
expressed through bodily intimation and vocal intimation can be
understood by others, even by animals.

Certain groups oI rpas
39
(including all non-living things) have the
Iollowing rpas
40
:
Lightness / buoyancy (lahut) is non-sluggishness
Malleability / plasticity (mudut) is elasticity or non-rigidness
Wieldiness (kammaat) is adaptability or workableness

There are Iour characteristics which are inherent in all rpas. These
Iour characteristics have been classiIied as diIIerent rpas:
Integration: Production oI rpa at the beginning oI an existence
Continuity: Production oI rpa during the course oI an existence
41

Decay: Though individual rpas last only a moment, over time
collections oI rpas show signs oI ageing and decay (examples
include rusting, wrinkles and gray hairs)
Impermanence: Over time rpas will completely break down and
completely dissolve; again, we are not reIerring to a single rpa
which arises only Ior an instant, but rather to the impermanence oI
a collection oI rpas

Rpas never arise alone, they always arise in groups called kalpas.
When the rpa oI hardness arises (earth element), it always arises
together with cohesion (water element), temperature (Iire element)
and pressure (wind element). Whenever these Iour essentials arise, the
rpas oI Ilavour, nutrition, odour, visible object and space also arise.




39
Does not include rpas produced by kamma (see next section)
40
Not to be conIused with wholesome mental states oI the same names
41
Mental states arise serially, one at a time (one Ialls away to make way Ior the next)
whereas rpas can accumulate (many produced in parallel). This makes rpas
corporeal whereas nma is incorporeal.
Page 67
What Causes Groups of Rpas to Arise
Factors Causing Groups of Rpas to Arise
Kamma Mental
States
Temperature Nutrition
Hardness / Cohesion /
Temperature / Pressure / Space
X X X X
Visible Object / Odour / Elavour /
Nutrition
X X X X
Sound X X
Eye-sensitivity / Ear-sensitivity /
Nose-sensitivity / Tongue-
sensitivity / Body-sensitivity
X
LiIe Iaculty / Heart Base /
Masculinity / Eemininity
X
Body Intimation /
Speech Intimation
X
Lightness / Malleability /
Wieldiness
X X X

Groups oI rpas including eye-, ear-, nose-, tongue- and body-
sensitivity as well as liIe Iaculty, heart-base and either masculinity or
Iemininity are only created by kamma. Groups oI rpas including
bodily intimation and speech intimation are only caused by mental
states (Ior example, a mental state accompanied by pleasant Ieeling
can cause a smile). Non-living parts oI the body can be created by
either temperature (heat) or nutrition whereas non-living things such as
rocks are only Iormed by temperature.
Right Understanding
The Iirst step oI the Noble EightIold Path, 'Right Understanding,
involves seeing the true nature oI nma and rpa:
They are impermanent (anicca) they arise Ior an instant when
conditions support their arising and then they Iall away
They are a source oI suIIering (dukkha) when they are clung to
They are non-selI (anatt) they cannot be controlled (but they can
be 'trained)

When there is direct awareness oI nma and rpa, there is no thinking
oI a 'whole at that time (there is no 'glass oI water, there is only
visible object). The study oI rpas helps us to understand sense objects
and sense doorways this helps us to be aware oI one reality at a time
as it appears in the present moment.
Page 68
What Happens When We Die
Rpa at Rebirth
-16-15-14 -13-12 -11-10 -9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Mental States
-1 1
Death
Old Existence
New Existence
Rpa produced
by kamma
Old Existence
New Existence
Rpa produced
by mind
Old Existence
New Existence
Rpa produced
by temperature
Old Existence Rpa produced
by nutrition

Rpa Originating from Kamma
The mental Iactor cetan arising in most past javana mental states can
produce groups oI rpa (arpavacara kusala mental states do not
create groups oI rpa).

Groups oI rpa originating Irom kamma arise with each mental state.
In any existence, the last group oI rpa produced by kamma arises at
the arising oI the 17
th
mental state beIore death. There are no groups
oI rpa produced by kamma existing aIter the moment oI death.

The arising oI the Iirst mental state oI the new existence is a condition
Ior the arising oI groups oI rpa produced by kamma. At this moment,
three groups oI rpa produced by kamma are produced: body-sense
decad, masculine or Ieminine decad and heart base decad. The
remaining decads (eye-base, etc.) appear many weeks later.

Page 69

Foetus Development in Womb
1
st
Week
Clear water-like mixture oI:
Body-sense decad
Masculine or Eeminine decad
Heart base decad
2
nd
Week Eoam-like
3
rd
Week Lump
4
th
Week Solid
5
th
Week 5 swellings Ior head, 2 hands, 2 Ieet
7
th
Week Eye sensitivity
8
th
Week Ear sensitivity
9
th
Week Nose sensitivity
10
th
Week Tongue sensitivity
42
nd
Week Head hair, body hair and nails
Rpa Originating from Mental States
There is one group oI rpa originating Irom mental states arising with
each mental state. In any existence, the last group oI rpa produced by
mental states arises at the arising oI the mental state beIore death. In
the new existence, the Iirst group oI rpa originating Irom mental
states arises at the second mental state aIter rebirth
Rpa Originating from Temperature
These groups oI rpa arise independent oI mental states and continue
long aIter death (while the corpse decomposes, these groups oI rpa
continue to arise).
Rpa Originating from Nutrition
Every group oI rpa contains the nutritive essence but groups oI rpa
originating Irom nutrition will only Iorm when internal nutritive
essence meets external nutritive essence. Groups oI rpa originating
Irom nutritive essence arise with each mental state until death. The
groups oI rpa originating Irom nutrition which arise at the moment
oI death Iall away aIter 17 mental states have passed. It is impossible
to determine when the Iirst group oI rpa originating Irom nutritive
essence will arise in a new existence as it depends on the availability
oI external nutritive essence Irom the mother.
Page 70
Rpa in Various Planes of Existence
Not all planes oI existence support all rpas. Eor example, there is no
rpas at all in the Iormless realms. In the Iine-material worlds, body-
sense, nose-sense, tongue-sense, masculinity, Iemininity and nutrition
do not exist.

There are Iour modes oI birth (see MN12):
Moisture born smaller animals
Egg born certain animals
Womb born animals, peta, asura, human, earth born dev
Spontaneous birth possible Ior all beings (humans experience
spontaneous birth only at the beginning oI a world)
Nma at Rebirth
Mental states are constantly arising and Ialling away. This stream oI
mental states is not interrupted at the moment oI death. The last
mental state in each existence is a bhavanga mental state; it is given
the special name oI 'cuti (literally 'departing). The Iirst mental
state in each existence is also a bhavanga mental state; it is given the
special name oI 'patisandhi (literally 'reunion or 'relinking).

Mental States
The last mental state in
old existence - a bhavanga
mental state called cuti
The first mental state in
new existence - a bhavanga
mental state called patisandhi
Other mental states Other mental states
Death


The Ialling away oI the cuti mental state is a condition Ior the arising
oI a patisandhi mental state. They Iollow right aIter one aIter another.
Unlike other Buddhist schools, the Theravada school does not accept
any 'transitory stage between death and rebirth. This does not deny
the possibility oI rebirth in an existence Ior a short time, Iollowed by
another death and rebirth.
Page 71
Nma Before Rebirth
The death-process (maransanna vthi) immediately precedes the cuti
mental state, though sometimes an extra bhavanga mental state arises
just beIore the cuti mental state. The death-process can take an object
at the mind-door or at one oI the sense doors. The death-process has
only Iive javana mental states, not seven. Some death-processes end
with two registration mental states while other death-processes do not.
The diagram shows a death-process with an object arising at the eye
door, without registration mental states and without a bhavanga
mental state between the death-process and the cuti mental state.
B B P V A F E R I D 1 1 1 1 1 B B B B Mental States C L
Death
B Bhavanga
P Bhavanga (Past)
V Bhavanga (Vibrating)
A Bhavanga (Arresting)
F 5-Sense Door Adverting
E Eye Consciousness
R Receiving
I Investigating
D Determining
1 Javana
C Bhavanga (Cuti / Death)
L Bhavanga (Patisandhi / Linking)
Object
Object Irom past existence (kamma, sign oI kamma, sign oI destiny)
Present sign oI kamma or sign oI destiny arising at eye-door
Same as object; it is now a past object, no longer a present object


The object oI the death-process directs the stream oI mental states to
the next existence. There are three types oI objects to a death-process:
Kamma: Arises at mind-door when one recalls a past action.
Sign oI kamma (kamma-nimitta): Arises at mind-door or sense door
when one perceives an object associated with past kamma such as
the smell oI an incense oIIering or a doctor`s stethoscope.
Sign oI destiny (gati-nimitta): Arises at a sense door or mind-door
to give an indication oI the next existence. One may Ieel the heat
oI hell, see a Iorest (animal rebirth) or hear celestial music.
Page 72
Nma After Rebirth
The rebirth linking (patisandhi) mental state is immediately Iollowed
by sixteen more bhavanga mental states. These mental states all take
the same object as the death-process Irom the previous existence. This
will be object oI all bhavanga mental states in the new existence. The
sixteen bhavanga mental states are Iollowed by seven javana mental
states clinging to the new existence through the mind-door.

1 C L B B B B

B B M 1 1 1 1 1 B B Mental States 1 1
B Bhavanga
M Mind Door Adverting
1 Javana
C Bhavanga (Cuti / Death)
L Bhavanga (Patisandhi / Linking)
Object
Object Irom past existence (kamma, sign oI kamma, sign oI destiny)
Present sign oI kamma or sign oI destiny arising at eye-door
Same as object; it is now a past object, no longer a present object
Death
Total of 16
Mind-door object in new existence (attachment to new existence)


Page 73
Kamma
Kamma by Way of Function
Productive (janaka) kamma is volition which produces resultant
mental states and kamma-born matter. At the moment oI rebirth-
linking, productive kamma generates the rebirth-linking mental
state and the kamma-born types oI matter constituting the physical
body oI the new being. During a course oI existence, productive
kamma produces other resultant mental states and the other
kamma-born matter.
Supportive (upatthambaka) kamma does not produce a result; it
strengthens the productive kamma. When an unwholesome kamma
has exercised its productive Iunction causing a disease, supportive
kamma may prevent medicines Irom working eIIectively.
Obstructive (upaplaka) kamma does not produce a result; it
weakens the productive kamma.
Destructive (upaghtaka) kamma replaces productive kamma
with its own result.

Productive Supportive Obstructive Destructive
It creates a
liIespan
Like exercise, it
extends liIespan
Like smoking it
shortens liIespan
Like an accident, it
cuts liIespan
Devadatta`s
good
productive
kamma
allowed him to
be born in a
royal Iamily
Being a monk
was supportive
kamma to assist
Devadatta`s
productive
kamma in having
a good liIe
Obstructive kamma
came into play when
Devadatta was
excommunicated
Irom the Sangha and
subjected to
humiliation
Devadatta`s actions
oI causing split in the
Sangha and
wounding the
Buddha were
destructive kamma
sending him to hell
Productive
kamma may
send one to an
unIortunate
rebirth
Supportive
kamma will make
the unIortunate
rebirth worse
Obstructive kamma
may support the
arising oI positive
thoughts that reduce
the length oI time
spent in a bad rebirth
A wholesome
kamma may
suddenly arise and
replace the kamma
originally intended to
cause a bad rebirth

Cause of Death Analogy
Through the expiration oI the liIe-span The wick oI an oil lamp burns out
Through the expiration oI the productive
kammic Iorce
The oil in an oil lamp is used up
Through the expiration oI both Both the wick and the oil expire
Through the intervention oI a destructive
kamma (i.e. a violent death)
A wind blows suddenly or the lamp is
extinguished on purpose
Page 74
Kamma by Order of Ripening
Weighty (garuka) kamma is kamma oI such powerIul moral
weight that it cannot be replaced by any other kamma as the
determinant oI rebirth. On the unwholesome side, weighty kamma
means the kammic potential generated by any one oI the Iollowing:
Maliciously creating a schism in the Sangha
Wounding oI a Buddha
Murder oI an Arahant
Matricide
Patricide

On the wholesome side, weighty kamma means the attainment oI
the jhnas and maintaining the jhna attainment until death. This
causes rebirth in a world appropriate to the jhna attainment. II one
attains jhna during a retreat and goes back to the world without
maintaining it, the jhna attainment will not qualiIy as weighty
kamma. II one develops the jhna and later commits one oI the Iive
heinous crimes, the good kamma would be obliterated by the evil
deed. Eor example, Devadatta lost his psychic powers and was
reborn in hell Ior wounding the Buddha and causing a schism in the
Sangha. II someone were Iirst to commit one oI the heinous crimes,
they would not be able later to attain jhna or Sotpanna stage,
because bad kamma would create an insurmountable obstruction.
King Ajtasattu had all the other conditions Ior reaching Sotpanna,
but he could not because he had killed his Iather, King Bimbisara.
The Buddha predicted that aIter having repaid their kammic debts,
Devadatta and Ajtasattu would attain enlightenment as
Paccekabuddhas in a Iuture existence.

Death-proximate (asa) kamma is the next priority aIter
weighty kamma. This is a potent kamma remembered or perIormed
shortly beIore death. II a person oI bad character remembers a
good deed he or she has done, or perIorms a good deed just beIore
dying, they may receive a Iortunate rebirth. This does not mean
that one will escape the Iruits oI the other good and bad deeds one
has perIormed during one's liIe. When they meet with suitable
conditions, this kamma too will produce its due results.

Venerable Tissa received a beautiIul robe that he cherished. When
he died he was reborn as a Ilea within the Iolds oI the robe. When
the Sangha convened to distribute the monk's possessions, the
Page 75
Buddha told the Sangha to postpone the distribution oI the robe Ior
seven days to allow the Ilea to die without worry that somebody
else had taken the robe. Dying without worry allowed the Ilea to be
reborn in heaven. Venerable Tissa was impeccable in the Vinaya.
His only misdeed was in harbouring a strong attachment to his own
rightIul property. But because this thought was rooted in
attachment, it was ultimately unwholesome. Because it persisted
until just beIore his death, it was potent enough to cause rebirth in a
woeIul state, albeit Ior only a short spell. There is a popular belieI
that people who die with strong attachments are reborn as ghosts or
animals haunting, or in the vicinity oI, their properties.

Habitual (cinna) kamma is the next priority. Habitual kamma is
the deed that one habitually perIorms. Cunda was a cruel butcher
who slaughtered pigs by torturing them. BeIore he died, he was in
such great pain and agony that he was grunting and squealing like a
pig Ior several days. He was reborn in hell.

Reserve (katatt) kamma reIers to deeds that have been done in
the present liIetime which are not included in weighty, near-death
or habitual kamma, as well as deeds that were done in past
liIetimes. Venerable Tissa was reborn as a Ilea because oI strong
attachment to his robe. However when the Ilea died aIter seven
days, it was reborn in Tusita Heaven because oI reserve kamma.

Suppose that many cattle are kept in a shed Ior the night. In the
morning the door oI the shed is opened to let the cattle go out to the
pasture. Now which one will come out Iirst?
II there is a leader among them whom everyone respects, this one
will walk majestically to the door and come out Iirst. This is like a
weighty kamma that is uncontested to bear its result in the next liIe.
II there is no leader, the one nearest the door comes out Iirst. This
is like a death-proximate kamma bearing its Iruit in the next liIe.
Sometimes a vigilant one, who has regularly noticed the time when
the shed is opened, may walk to the door just beIore it is opened
and come out Iirst when the door is opened. This is like the habitual
kamma producing its result in the next liIe.
Sometimes a Irail one, by being pushed by stronger ones, may
come out oI the shed Iirst. This is similar to the case when an
unexpected reserve kamma has the chance to condition the next liIe.
Page 76
Kamma by Time of Ripening
Javana mental states arise in groups oI seven. The Iirst javana mental
state to arise creates 'immediately eIIective kamma, which can only
cause results in the same liIetime that it was created. The last javana
mental state in the sequence creates 'subsequently eIIective kamma
which can only cause results in the next existence. The middle Iive
javana mental states are strong and create 'indeIinitely eIIective
kamma which can cause results aIter the next existence.

1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Weakest kamma (immediately effective) -
can only cause results in this lifetime
2
nd
weakest kamma (subsequently effective) -
can only cause results in the next lifetime
Strongest kamma (indefinitely effective) -
can cause results after the next lifetime


Kamma becomes 'inoperative when:
A liIetime expires and 'immediately eIIective kamma has not
Iound conditions to create results
A liIetime expires and 'subsequently eIIective kamma Irom the
previous existence has not Iound conditions to create results
Kamma by Place of Ripening
Only when all constituent Iactors are present, unwholesome kamma
can cause rebirth in one oI the Iour woeIul planes. Eor example,
killing in selI deIense (i.e. no intention to kill) will not lead to rebirth in
one oI the woeIul planes.









Page 77
Action Constituent Factors Remarks
Killing A living being / consciousness
that there is a living being /
intention oI killing / eIIort oI
killing / consequent death
Large animals more serious than
small animals, humans more
serious than animals. Virtuous
being more serious than non-
virtuous being.
Stealing Another's property / awareness
that it is so / thieving mind /
eIIort / consequent removal
Higher value objects more
serious than smaller value
objects. Stealing Irom a virtuous
being more serious than stealing
Irom a non-virtuous being.
Sexual
Mis-
behaviour
The mind to enjoy the Iorbidden
object / eIIort to enjoy / devices
to obtain / possession
Married women and women
under guardianship are
Iorbidden. Seriousness oI the sin
increases with the virtue oI the
woman (keeping precepts).
Lying An untrue thing / intention to
deceive / corresponding eIIort /
communication oI the matter to
others
Seriousness depends on the
welIare destroyed (lying to harm
another is more serious than
lying to protect oneselI)
Slandering Other persons to be divided / the
purpose, 'they will be separated
or the desire to endear oneselI to
another / corresponding eIIort /
communication
Rude
Speech
Another to be abused / angry
thought / abuse
Ill Will Another being / thought oI doing
harm
Seriousness depends on the
virtue oI the 'victim (person
being slandered / person to
whom rude speech or ill will is
directed)
Idle Talk Inclination towards useless talk /
narration oI such themes
Seriousness depends on the
Irequency that it is practiced.
Covet-
ousness
Another's property / bending over
oI oneselI
High value objects more serious
than small value objects.
Coveting Irom a virtuous being
more serious than coveting Irom
a non-virtuous being.
Wrong
View
Perversion oI the manner in
which an object should be taken /
its maniIestation according to the
contrary view held oI it
Seriousness oI the sin depends on
the Irequency with which it is
practiced (temporary or
permanent).

Wholesome kamma oI the sense-sphere can be perIormed by beings
(except Buddhas and Arahants) in any plane oI existence. It has the
potential to produce rebirth-linking in the sensuous blissIul plane, but
during the course oI existence, it can give eIIect anywhere in the
sensuous world or the Iine-material world, according to circumstances.

Page 78
The ten bases oI meritorious deeds are as Iollows:

Dna Sla Bhavna
4. Generosity
5. TransIerence
oI merit
6. Rejoicing in
others' merit
7. Virtue
8. Reverence
9. Service
11. Meditation
12. Hearing the Dhamma
13. Teaching the Dhamma
14. Straightening out
one's view

The passive aspect oI sense-sphere wholesome kamma can be viewed
in the ten wholesome courses oI action (abstaining Irom killing, etc.),
while its active aspect is classiIied under the threeIold and tenIold
bases oI meritorious deeds. In the ultimate sense, sense-sphere
wholesome kamma is eightIold according to the volition in the sense-
sphere kammic mental states associated with non-attachment
(generosity), non-hate (loving kindness) and non-delusion (wisdom).

Wholesome kamma oI the Iine-material sphere is purely mental action.
It consists oI meditation that has reached absorption and is IiveIold by
distinction oI jhna-Iactors. Each wholesome jhna mental state has
the potential to generate rebirth in the Iine-material realm that
corresponds with its own level.

Wholesome kamma oI the immaterial sphere is also purely mental
action. It consists oI meditation that has reached absorption and is
IourIold by distinction oI the object. Immaterial-sphere wholesome
jhna mental state has the potential to produce as its result only its
corresponding resultant mental state, which IulIills only three
Iunctions oI rebirth, bhavanga and death in the immaterial realm to
which it pertains.
Summary of Kamma
By Way of
Function
By Order of
Ripening
By Time of
Ripening
By Place of
Ripening
Productive
Supportive
Obstructive
Destructive
Weighty
Death-
proximate
Habitual
Reserve
Immediately
eIIective
Subsequently
eIIective
IndeIinitely
eIIective
DeIunct
Unwholesome
Sense-sphere
wholesome
Eine-material-
sphere wholesome
Immaterial-sphere
wholesome
Page 79
31 Planes of Existence
Worlds, Planes and Spheres
Buddhist cosmology divides the universe into three types oI worlds,
also called planes (bhmi) oI existence:
Sensuous Worlds (kma-loka): Generally, beings in these worlds
have all Iive physical senses. The sensuous worlds are Iurther split
into the Iour WoeIul Planes (apyabhmi) and Happy Destinations
(sugati). Human existence is a happy destination.
Eine-material Worlds (rpa-loka): Generally, beings in these worlds
have only the 'Iine physical senses oI sight and hearing; they do
not have the 'coarse senses oI smelling, taste or touch.
Immaterial Worlds (arpa-loka): Beings in these worlds have only
mind, they have no physical senses.

Mental states are divided into Iour spheres (avacara):
Sense-sphere (kmvacara): Beings in the sensuous worlds tend to
have these mental states because they are caught up in their senses.
Under special circumstances, it is possible Ior beings in the sense
worlds to have mental states belonging to the other spheres.
Eine-material sphere (rpvacara): These mental states arise with
high levels oI concentration (jhna) Iocusing on a physical object.
Beings in the Iine-material worlds tend to have these mental states.
Immaterial sphere (arpvacara): These mental states arise with
high levels oI concentration (jhna) Iocusing on speciIic concepts.
Beings in the immaterial worlds tend to have these mental states.
Supramundane (lokuttara): these mental states are associated with
the Noble Ones (ariyas); stream-enterers (sotpanna), once-
returners (sakadgm), non-returners (angm) and liberated ones
(Arahant).
Destruction of the Worlds
All things are impermanent, including worlds. When worlds are
destroyed by Iire, all oI the worlds up to the three Iirst-jhna planes
are burned. AIter being destroyed seven times consecutively by Iire,
the worlds will be destroyed by water on the eighth time when all oI
the worlds up to the three second-jhna planes will be destroyed. AIter
being destroyed in regular cycles seven times by Iire and one time by
water, the world will be destroyed by wind on the 64
th
time when all
the world up to the three third-jhna planes will be destroyed.
Page 80
Gods not Falling Away
Aviha Dev
Untroubled Gods
Atappa Dev
Beautiful Gods
Sudassa Dev
Clear-sighted Gods
Sudassi Dev
Peerless Gods
Akanittha Dev
4
th
1hna
P
u
r
e

A
b
o
d
e
s
S
u
d
d
h

s
a
1-11
(-)
Rootless
1-11
Two Roots
1-11
Three Roots
1-22, 28-31
(5-21, 23-31)
5-22, 28-31
(12-21, 23-31)
5-22, 28-31
(13-21, 23-31)
5-22, 28-31
(14-21, 23-31)
5-22, 28-31
(15-21, 23-31)
5-22, 28-31
(16-21, 23-31)
5-22, 28-31
(17-21, 23-31)
5-22, 28-31
(18-21, 23-31)
5-22, 28-31
(19-21, 23-31)
5-22, 28-31
(20-21, 23-31)
5-22, 28-31
(21, 23-31)
5-11
(-)
-
(24-27)
-
(25-27)
-
(26, 27)
-
(27)
-
(None)
5-11, 28-31
(28-31)
5-11, 29-31
(29-31)
5-11, 30, 31
(30, 31)
5-11, 31
(31)
10 Unwholesome
Actions
Animal U Behaving
like an animal
Hell U Heinous Deeds
Virtue and Generosity
10 Wholesome
Actions
Generosity
Hell
Niraya
Animal
Tiracchna Yoni
Hungry Ghost
Peta
Demon / Titan
Asura
Human
Manussa
Heaven of the 4 Great Kings
Ctumahrjika
Heaven of the 33 Gods
Tvatimsa
Heaven of the Yma Gods
Yma
Heaven of the Contented Gods
Tusita
Gods Delighting in Creation
Nimmnarati
Gods Wielding Power over Creation
of Others Paranimmita-vasavatti
W
o
e
f
u
l

P
l
a
n
e
s
A
p

y
a
b
h

m
i
H
a
p
p
y

D
e
s
t
i
n
a
t
i
o
n
s
S
u
g
a
t
i
S
e
n
s
u
o
u
s

W
o
r
l
d
s
K

m
a
-
l
o
k
a
F
i
n
e
-
m
a
t
e
r
i
a
l

W
o
r
l
d
s
R

p
a
-
l
o
k
a
Retinue of Brahm
Brahm-prisajja
Ministers of Brahm
Brahm-purohita
Great Brahms
Mah Brahm
Gods of Limited Radiance
Parittbh Dev
Gods of Unbounded Radiance
Appamnbh Dev
Gods of Streaming Radiance
Abhassara Dev
Gods of Limited Glory
Parittsubha Dev
Gods of Unbounded Glory
Appamnsubha Dev
Gods of Refulgent Glory
Subhakinna Dev
Very Fruitful Gods
Vehapphala Dev
Unconscious Beings
Asaasatta
Infinite Space
Aksnacyatana Dev
Infinite Consciousness
Vinacyatana Dev
Nothingness
Akicayatana Dev
Neither-perception-nor-non-perception
N`evasa-n`sayatana Dev
I
m
m
a
t
e
r
i
a
l

W
o
r
l
d
s
A
r

p
a
-
l
o
k
a
1
st
1hna
Highest Degree
Medium Degree
Minor Degree
2
nd
1hna
Highest Degree
Medium Degree
Minor Degree
3
rd
1hna
Highest Degree
Medium Degree
Minor Degree
1
st
Formless 1hna
2
nd
Formless 1hna
3
rd
Formless 1hna
4
th
Formless 1hna
Indefinite
Indefinite
Indefinite
Indefinite
Indefinite
9 million
36 million
144 million
576 million
2304 million
9216 million
1/3 eon
1/2 eon
1 eon
2 eons
4 eons
8 eons
16 eons
32 eons
64 eons
500 eons
500 eons
1000 eon
2000 eons
4000 eons
8000 eons
16,000 eons
20,000 eons
40,000 eons
60,000 eons
84,000 eons
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
Name of Realm Duration Cause of Rebirth Next Life

Page 81
Woeful Planes (Apyabhmi)
There are Iour woeIul planes:
Hell (Niraya), the worst possible plane
Animal (Tiracchni Yoni)
Hungry Ghost (Peta)
Demon / Titan (Asura)

AIter their kamma has expired, beings Irom the Iour woeIul planes
are reborn into one oI the sensuous worlds (Kma-loka); one oI the
Iour woeIul planes (again) or one oI the Happy Destinations. Noble
Ones (sotpanna, etc.) are never born into the woeIul planes. Rebirth
into one oI the Iour woeIul planes is the kammic result oI one oI the
ten unwholesome actions.
Hell (Niraya)
Being reborn in Hell is a natural result Irom previous actions; bodily
misconduct, verbal misconduct, mental misconduct, reviling noble
ones, wrong views and actions under the inIluence oI wrong views.
Hell beings have no happy moments; they suIIer the painIul results oI
their unwholesome kamma throughout their lives in that realm.

There are eight great hells oI increasing intensity oI torment:
Sajva ('reviver): This is the least severe type oI hell. The
guardians oI this hell chop and cut the hell beings with glowing
weapons. As long as their evil deeds remain unexhausted, the hell
beings regain their lives aIter the punishment is over.
Klasutta ('black thread): Hell beings are placed on a Iloor oI
heated iron, marked with a black thread and made red hot. The
guardians oI this hell then plane the hell beings with adzes along
the markings.
Sanghta ('crushing): Hell beings are constantly being crushed by
huge Iiery rocks coming Irom all Iour directions.
Roruva: Hell beings have noxious gases blown into their bodies.
Mah Roruva: Hell beings have Ilames blown into their bodies.
Tpana ('burner): Hell beings are pierced by red-hot stakes and
remain motionless as long as the results oI their evil deeds last.
Mah Tpana ('great burner): The guardians oI this hell Iorce
the hell beings to climb up a burning iron mountain. Strong winds
Iorce the hell beings to Iall Irom the mountain and be impaled on
the red-hot stakes below.
Page 82
Avci ('without intermission): This is the most terrible type oI hell.
There is no space between the hell beings and the Ilames. Those
who have committed the Iive heinous acts (patricide, matricide,
killing an Arahant, wounding a Buddha or causing a schism in the
Sangha) are destined Ior Avci.

Each oI the eight great hells is square with a door on each side. Each
door Irom the great hell leads to Iive minor hells (Ior a total oI 168):
Gtha (excrement) hell
Kukkula (ember) hell
SimPlivana (silk-cotton tree) hell
Asipattavana (sword-leaIed Iorest) hell
Vettarani (river oI caustic water) hell

Great Hell
Excrement
Ember
Silk-cotton tree
Sword-leaf tree
Caustic River


Each oI the 32 doors leading Irom a great hell to the minor hells is
guarded by a Ymdev. The duty oI the Ymdev is to consider the
case oI each hell being and direct the guardians oI the hell (Niraya-
pla) to inIlict the punishment. Ymdev and Niraya-pla are Irom
Ctumahrjika Heaven; these beings sometimes enjoy the Iruitions oI
their meritorious kamma in heaven and sometimes suIIer the results oI
their evil deeds in hell. On very rare occasions, one oI the doors on the
Iour sides oI the great hell will open and a Iew hell beings will be
allowed to pass into the minor hells. Only Irom a minor hell can a
being with good past kamma experience rebirth.
Page 83
Animal (Tiracchni Yoni)
In SN XLII.3, the Buddha is asked iI a brave warrior can expect
rebirth in heaven. The Buddha explained that iI a warrior`s mind was
Iilled with hate at the time oI death, then rebirth would be in hell. II
the warrior`s mind were Iilled with wrong view at time oI death, then
rebirth could be in hell or in the animal realm. In many other Suttas,
the Buddha stressed that wrong view resulted in rebirth in hell or as an
animal. In MN 57, the Buddha explained that humans who behave as
animals are destined Ior rebirth in the animal realm. LiIe as an animal
is not pleasant as they are exposed to the elements. Animals live most
oI their lives in Iear and craving Iood. Because oI past actions, some
animals suIIer more and some animals suIIer less. In many cases,
humans are reborn as animals with a natural aIIinity Ior that which
they craved as humans. Eor example, the Elder Tissa was reborn as a
Ilea in his old robe and the Brahman Todeyya's was reborn as a dog in
his previous household.
Hungry Ghost (Peta)
These beings are tormented by intense hunger, thirst and other
aIIlictions to which they can Iind relieI. The petas have no world oI
their own; they live in the same world as humans, in Iorests, bogs,
cemeteries, etc.. They remain invisible to humans except when they
choose to make themselves visible or are perceived by humans who
have developed the 'divine eye through meditation.

There are Iour kinds oI Peta:
Paradattupajvika-peta: This sort oI Peta lives on the dakkhin
(sacriIicial giIts) oI others. Buddhism encourages dakkhin or
merit-making by oIIering Iood, clothing, shelter, etc., to virtuous
persons such as a Bhikkhu and then dedicating the merit acquired to
deceased relatives. II the deceased relatives are this type oI Peta,
they will appreciate the dakkhin dedicated to them and they will
be reborn in a better world. Only the Peta oI this sort are able to
enjoy the outcome oI dakkhin dedicated by their relatives. Other
types oI Petas are not aIIected by such a dedication. The dakkhin
will become IruitIul to the Peta only when three conditions are met:
The dakkhin or sacriIice is given to a virtuous person
The merit oI the dakkhin is dedicated to a deceased relative
His deceased relative has been born as a Paradattupajvika-peta,
the Peta knows the dakkhin dedicated to him
Page 84
II any oI these three conditions is lacking, the deceased relative will
not be able to enjoy the outcome oI the dakkhin. Nevertheless, the
perIormer oI the dakkhin will still receive the good result oI his
meritorious action.
Khuppipsika-peta: This sort oI Peta suIIers Irom hunger and
thirst and will suIIer as a Peta as long as his evil kamma lasts.
Nijjhmatanhik-peta: This Peta`s suIIering is caused by his own
craving (tanh). Eire burns in his mouth as long as his evil kamma
lasts.
Klakancika-peta: This sort oI Peta has a very tall body that
appears to be like a dry leaI with only skin covering the skeleton.
His eyes protrude like those oI the crab and his mouth is extremely
small. He suIIers Irom hunger and thirst like other types oI Peta.
Demon / Titan (Asura)
The term 'asura is applied to three types oI beings:
A group oI Devs Irom Tvatimsa Heaven led by Vepacitti
Another name Ior the Klakancika-peta already described
Titan residents oI the Lokantarika-niraya realm

The Lokantarika-niraya realm is situated between the human world,
the hell world and the heaven world. The Lokantarika-niraya realm is
a dark sea oI acid water surrounded by rocky mountains; no light can
reach this place. The Asuras hang themselves on cliIIs like bats. They
are tortured by hunger and thirst as there is no Iood Ior them. While
moving along the cliII they sometimes come across each other.
Thinking that they have come across Iood, they jump upon each other
and start Iighting. As soon as they start Iighting, they let loose their
grip on the cliII and as a result they Iall into the sea below and their
bodies melt away just like salt melting away in water.
Happy Destinations (Sugati)
Generosity and abstinence Irom the ten unwholesome actions lead to
rebirth in a happy destination. The bases Ior wholesome actions are:
1. Dna giving charity or generosity
2. Sla morality; observing precepts
3. Bhvan meditation, both tranquility and insight
4. Appacyana reverence to elders and holy persons
5. Veyvacca service in wholesome deeds
6. Pattidna transIerence oI merit
Page 85
7. Pattnumodana rejoicing in others` merit
8. Dhamma-savana listening to the Doctrine
9. Dhamma-desan expounding the Doctrine
10. Dihijjukamma straightening one`s right view
Human Plane of Existence
The Pli word manussa (human) literally means those who have sharp
or developed minds. As the human mind is very sharp, this makes man
much more capable oI weighty moral and immoral action than any
other class oI being. The human being is capable oI development oI up
to Buddhahood and also oI serious crimes such as killing oI one`s
parents. The human realm is a mixture oI pain and pleasure, suIIering
and happiness.

The main reason that the realm oI human beings is regarded as a
happy destination (sugati) is that human birth is the result oI
meritorious kamma. Although the human world is the lowest oI all oI
the happy realms oI existence, it possesses signiIicant characteristics
which make it the most important ream oI existence:
It is the realm situated between the WoeIul Planes (Apyabhmi)
and the higher realms oI happiness or Devloka. In this sense, it
may be seen as the 'centre oI all realms.
It is the only realm where the liIe oI a recluse, an ethical liIe that
leads directly to the realization oI the ultimate truth, is possible.
It is where the IulIillment oI the Ten PerIection (Dasa-pram) oI
the Buddha-to-be (Bodhisatta) is made possible.
It is the only realm where the Bodhisatta attains Buddhahood and
preaches the ultimate truth to the world.

Charity (dna) and virtue (sla) are the determining Iactors in bringing
about rebirth in the realm oI human beings:
One who only on a small scale perIorms meritorious action
Iounded on charity (dna), only on a small scale perIorms
meritorious action Iounded on virtue (sla) and does not perIorm
meritorious action Iounded on mind-development (bhvan) is
reborn among men oI ill luck.
One who perIorms meritorious action Iounded on charity to a
medium degree, perIorms meritorious action Iounded on virtue to a
medium degree and does not perIorm meritorious action Iounded
on mind-development is reborn among men oI good luck.

Page 86
Being born as a human is a rare event and the Buddha encouraged us
to capitalize on this extraordinary opportunity. The Iour woeIul planes
are packed with beings while the realms above the human realm are
sparsely populated.

There is a Buddhist legend oI the 'age oI materiality where the
population oI the world increases dramatically because many beings
are reborn Irom the Iour woeIul planes into the human realm. Because
these beings have spent so much time in the woeIul planes, they have
accumulated some bad habits; they are quarrelsome, rebellious, selIish
and greedy.
Heaven of the Four Great Kings (Ctumahrjika)
This heaven has Iour divisions, each ruled over by its own guardian
deity and inhabited by a diIIerent class oI demiGods:
East Dhatarattha rules over gandhabbas (celestial musicians)
South Virlhaka rules over kumbhandas (gnomic caretakers oI
Iorests, mountains and hidden treasures)
West Virpakkha rules over ngas (dragon-like creatures)
North Vessavana / Kuvera rules over yakkhas (spirits)

Distinctions are made among the three types oI Gods oI the
Ctumahrjika heaven according to the nature oI their residences:
Bhmmattha-dev (Gods living on the ground): reside on mountains,
in pagodas, in public houses like temples, etc. They do not
particularly have palaces (vimnas) oI their own. The liIespan oI
these beings is oI indeIinite length.
Rukkhattha-dev (Gods living in trees): some have palaces oI their
own on the tops oI trees and others have no palaces but reside in
the trees. Since their residences are in connection with trees, when
those trees are chopped down they have to shiIt to other
unoccupied ones. The liIespan oI these beings is oI indeIinite
length.
Aksttha-dev (Gods living in the sky): they have vimnas oI their
own. The magniIicence oI their palaces varies depending on the
kammic results oI the owners. The liIespan oI these beings is 9
million human years.
Page 87
Heaven of the 33 Gods (Tvatimsa)
According to legend, there was a group oI thirty-three men who
collectively dedicated their eIIorts to the happiness and well-being oI
other people. They built and repaired roads, dug wells and ponds, built
rest houses at cross-roads, etc. They passed their whole liIe with such
wholesome actions and aIter death they were reborn in this realm. The
leader oI the group (Sakka or Indra) became the ruler oI this heaven.
His thirty-two Iriends were reborn as high ranking Gods. Since the
thirty-three Iriends were born in this realm, it is called Tvatimsa or
the heaven oI the Thirty-Three Gods.

Gods oI the higher heavens are invisible to the Gods oI the lower ones
but not vice versa. This is because the bodies oI the Gods oI the higher
realms are more subtle than those oI the Gods in the lower realms. The
Gods oI the higher heavens are visible to the Gods oI the lower realms
only when they want themselves to be seen by transIorming their
subtle bodies into grosser bodies. Gods cannot travel to realms higher
than their own but they can go to a realm that is lower than their own
at will. These two general characteristics, i.e. the invisibility oI the
higher Gods to the lower Gods and the incapability oI the lower Gods
to travel to the higher realms, are common to all the heavens except
the Ctumahrjika and the Tvatimsa heaven which are closely
related. The Gods oI the Ctumahrjika heaven can go to Tvatimsa
heaven, even though Tvatimsa is a higher realm. The Eour Great
Kings oI Ctumahrjika are among the God-retinue oI Sakka.

The Buddha taught the Abhidhamma in Tvatimsa Heaven in
gratitude to his mother (who had died seven days aIter giving birth to
the Buddha and then was reborn in Tusita Heaven). The Buddha chose
Tvatimsa to teach the Abhidhamma because Tvatimsa is accessible
to the Gods oI all realms; lower as well as higher heavens. The
Buddha wanted his sermon to beneIit not only his mother, but also
Gods oI other realms who were interested in his teachings. II he chose
to preach to his mother in Tusita, only the Gods oI the same realm and
oI the higher heavens could attend his sermon but not the Gods oI
lower realms since Tusita is inaccessible to them.

One day and night in this realm is equivalent to 100 human years and
beings oI this realm live Ior 36 million human years. The three months
oI human time that the Buddha spent teaching Abhidhamma was
equivalent to 3.6 minutes oI time in Tvatimsa Heaven.
Page 88
Heaven of the Yma Gods (Yma)
This realm is the abode oI the Gods whose lives are without hardship.
There is very little description oI this realm in the texts, other than it is
the realm above Tvatimsa Heaven.
Heaven of the Contented Gods (Tusita)
Every Bodhisatta is born here beIore the human birth in which he
attains Buddhahood. Erom this realm, the Bodhisatta is reborn as a
human and becomes enlightened.
Gods Delighting in Creation (Nimmnarati)
The Gods oI this realm enjoy the objects oI the senses that they
themselves create. In the lower heavens, the objects oI sensuous
enjoyment exist by their own nature. In Nimmnarati heaven, the
beings oI the realm create Ior themselves the objects oI sense and
enjoy them as they like. The Nimmnarati Gods can enjoy the
pleasures oI liIe at will.
Gods Wielding Power over the Creation of Others
(Paranimmitavasavatti)
Unlike the Gods oI Nimmnarati heaven, the Paranimmitavasavatti
Gods themselves have nothing to do with the creation oI the objects
Ior sensuous enjoyment. Their duty is only to enjoy such ready-made
objects oI others` creations. It is said that their God-attendants who
realize their desires do such services Ior them.

Mra, the personiIication oI delusion and desire lives in this realm. He
has no Iaith in the Buddha and Buddhism. He tried many times to
create obstacles Ior the Buddha, but he always met with Iailure. His
power, however, surpasses that oI the Gods in the lower heavens.
The Lower Nine Fine-Material Worlds (Rpa-loka)
These are the destination oI those who have developed, during their
liIe, the Iirst, second or third Iine-material jhna and at the time oI
death, still have potential access to that jhna. One who develops the
jhna and then loses access to it due to negligence or obsession with
destructive states will not be reborn here. Beings born into these
realms tend to remain in the jhna state. These beings do not have any
desire to enjoy sense pleasures and do not have the Iaculty oI smell,
Page 89
taste or touch. These beings are able to see and hear as they desire to
witness the appearance oI Buddhas and Arahants and listen to them
preach. In these planes (and the planes above), there is no gender but
Gods appear as male. When a worldling reborn into these planes dies,
they are reborn in another plane, not including the woeIul states or the
pure abodes. When a Noble One reborn into these planes dies, they are
reborn in the same plane or higher (except the Asaa satta realm).
Great Brahms (Mah Brahm), Ministers of Brahm
(Brahm-purohita) and Retinue of Brahm (Brahm-
prisajja)
Those who have mastered the Iirst Iine-material jhna are reborn in
realm oI the Great Brahms. Those who have developed the Iirst Iine-
material jhna to a medium degree are reborn in the realm oI Ministers
oI Brahm. Those who have developed the Iirst Iine-material jhna to
a minor degree are reborn in the realm oI Retinue oI Brahm. AIter
gaining enlightenment, the Buddha`s Iirst inclination was to remain
silent. Sensing this, Sahampati Irom the Great Brahm realm appeared
beIore the Buddha and implored Him to teach the Dhamma, ' as
there are beings with little dust in their eyes who will understand the
Dhamma.

In the Great Brahm realm, there is a deity who believes that he is the
all-powerIul, all-seeing creator oI the universe. In the Kevatta Sutta
(DN11), a monk in search oI the answer to a philosophical question
approaches this deity. The deity takes the monk aside and scolds him,
'The Gods in my retinue believe that there is nothing that I do not
know. That is why I could not tell you in their presence that I did not
know the answer to your question. You have acted wrongly in
bypassing the Buddha. Go directly to the Buddha Ior your answer.
Gods of Streaming Radiance (Abhassara Dev), Gods of
Unbounded Radiance (Appamnbh Dev) and Gods
of Limited Radiance (Parittbh Dev)
The beings Irom these planes, the radiant Gods, are usually reIerred to
as the representatives oI supreme love (pti and mett). Those who
have mastered the second Iine-material jhna are reborn in realm oI
the Gods oI Streaming Radiance. Those who have developed this
jhna to a moderate degree are reborn in the realm oI Gods oI
Page 90
Unbounded Radiance. Those who have developed this jhna to a
minor degree are reborn in the realm oI Gods oI Limited Radiance.

The numbering oI jhna states are deIined diIIers in the Suttas and in
the Abhidhamma. When discussing planes oI existence, we use the
Sutta method; the 2
nd
Jhna oI the radiant Gods does not have initial
application nor sustained application as jhna Iactors.


Associated 1hna Factors
Sutta
Method
Abhidhamma
Method
Initial Application, Sustained
Application, Rapture, Happiness,
One-pointedness
1
st
Jhna 1
st
Jhna
Sustained Application, Rapture,
Happiness, One-pointedness
2
nd
Jhna
Rapture, Happiness, One-pointedness 2
nd
Jhna 3
rd
Jhna
Happiness, One-pointedness 3
rd
Jhna 4
th
Jhna
Equanimity, One-pointedness 4
th
Jhna 5
th
Jhna
Gods of Refulgent Glory (Subhakinna Dev), Gods of
Unbounded Glory (Appamnsubha Dev) and Gods of
Limited Glory (Parittsubha Dev)
Those who have mastered the third Iine-material jhna (Iourth Iine-
material jhna when using the Abhidhamma system) are reborn in
realm oI the Gods oI ReIulgent Glory. Those who have developed this
jhna to a moderate degree are reborn in the realm oI Gods oI
Unbounded Glory. Those who have developed this jhna to a minor
degree are reborn in the realm oI Gods oI Limited Glory.
The Seven Fine-Material Realms Associated with the
Fourth 1hna
The seven Iine-material realms associated with the Iourth jhna are:
EruitIul Gods (Vehapphala)
Conscious-less Beings (Asaa satta)
The Pure Abodes (Suddhvsa): Peerless Gods (Akanittha), Clear-
Sighted Gods (Sudass), BeautiIul Gods (Suddassa), Untroubled
Gods (Atappa), Durable Gods (Aviha)

Page 91
The three realms associated with the Iirst jhna (Great Brahms,
Ministers oI Brahm and Retinue oI Brahm) share the same space;
the beings in these three planes interact with each other. The three
realms associated with the second jhna share the same space. The
three realms associated with the third jhna share the same space. The
Iirst two realms associated with the Iourth jhna (EruitIul Gods and
Conscious-less Beings) share the same space and each oI the Iive Pure
Abodes has their own space.
Fruitful Gods (Vehapphala)
This is the plane or rebirth Ior those who have achieved and
maintained the Iourth jhna but do not desire to be reborn without a
mind. When a worldling reborn into this plane dies, they are reborn in
another plane, not including the woeIul states or the pure abodes.
When a Noble One reborn into these planes dies, they are reborn in the
same plane or higher (except the Asaa satta realm).
Conscious-less Beings (Asaa satta)
The Asaa satta is the particular type oI rebirth Ior one who
develops meditation with the Ieeling oI dispassion (virga) in
perception (sa). As a result oI this, iI he dies when his mind is
absorbed in the Iourth stage oI jhna, he is born as a Conscious-less
being in the world oI Iorm. He is actually a one-aggregate being, i.e., a
being who possesses only the rpa-kkhandha, with the absence oI all
the other Iour aggregates, namely, Ieeling (vedan), perception
(sa), disposition (sankhra) and consciousness (vina). The
Asaa satta is a being without any mental activities.

He remains like a motionless stone in the realm Irom the beginning up
to the end oI his liIe. At the end oI their time in this realm, worldlings
(Noble Ones are never born here) will be reborn in a happy destination
(Sugati) according to the past kamma Irom the existence prior to the
time as a Conscious-less Being.
Page 92
The Pure Abodes (Suddhvsa): Peerless Gods
(Akanittha), Clear-Sighted Gods (Sudass), Beautiful
Gods (Suddassa), Untroubled Gods (Atappa), Durable
Gods (Aviha)
Only those who attain the stage oI Angm can be reborn in these
realms. AIter death in a Pure Abode, the Angm will be reborn into
another Pure Abode (same level or higher); Angm born into the
Akanittha realm will deIinitely parinibbna Irom this realm. Once born
in the Pure Abodes, the Angm will attain Arahantship and
parinibbna Irom one oI these realms. All beings reborn into this realm
are Angm with the Iourth jhna but the controlling principle or the
directive Iorce (indriya), which is the predominant character oI each
individual, will determine the realm where he is to be reborn:
Directive Iorce oI saddh (Iaith) Aviha realm
Directive Iorce oI viriya (energy) Atappa realm
Directive Iorce oI sati (mindIulness) Sudassa realm
Directive Iorce oI samadhi (concentration) Sudass realm
Directive Iorce oI pa (wisdom) Akanittha realm

According to the Mahpadana Sutta, the Pure Abodes were the only
planes oI existence where the Buddha, in his long wandering in
Samsra, had never been born. The Buddha thought oI this and
appeared among the Gods oI the Suddhvsa. Gods oI the realm came
to him and told him oI the important events which had occurred in the
periods oI many previous Buddhas, beginning Irom the time oI the
Buddha Vipassi who enlightened the world with his teachings ninety-
one eons beIore the present one.
Immaterial Worlds (Arpa-loka): Neither Perception
nor Non-perception (N`evasa-n`sayatana),
Nothingness (Akicayatana), Infinite Consciousness
(Vinacyatana) and Infinite Space
(Aksnacyatana)
The last planes oI existence where living beings are born according to
the result oI their kamma are the immaterial worlds (arpa-loka).
Beings in these worlds are pure mind and have no body. Similar to the
rpa-loka, the arpa-loka is closely connected with the arpa jhna.
This jhna can be developed only when a person has experienced and
then abandoned all the Iour stages oI rpa jhna.
Page 93
There are Iour stages oI arpa jhna and the Iour realms oI the arpa-
loka correspond to the stage oI arpa jhna maintained:
1. Aksnacyatana: Having obtained and then abandoned the
Iourth stage oI rpa jhna, the meditator applies his mind to the
inIinity oI space. He thereby attains the Iirst stage oI arpa jhna.
2. Vinacyatana: Having obtained the Iirst stage, the meditator
switches his concentration to the inIinity oI consciousness. He
thereby attains the second stage oI arpa jhna.
3. Akicayatana: Having obtained the second stage, the meditator
switches his concentration to nothingness. He thereby attains the
third stage oI arpa jhna.
4. N`evasa-n`sayatana: Having obtained the third stage, the
meditator`s mind enters a state in which cognition is so extremely
subtle that it cannot be said whether it is or not. At this point he is
regarded as having attained the Iourth stage oI arpa jhna.

Alara, the ascetic who was the Iirst teacher abandoned by the Buddha,
was reborn in the Nothingness (Akicayatana) realm aIter dying
one week beIore the Buddha decided to teach the Dhamma. Udaka,
the ascetic who was the second teacher abandoned by the Buddha,
was reborn in the Neither Perception nor Non-perception (N`evasa-
n`sayatana) realm aIter dying on the night beIore the Buddha
decided to teach the Dhamma.

When a worldling reborn into these planes dies, they are reborn in
another plane; one oI the happy destinations (sugati) or in the same
plane or higher. When a Noble One reborn into these planes dies, they
are reborn in the same plane or higher.

To explain the concept oI a mind existing without a body, the texts
use an analogy oI an iron bar Ilung into the air. Eor a certain period,
depending on the energy with which it is Ilung, the bar remains in the
air without any support.

Because these are the 'highest realms, one might mistakenly conclude
that these are the 'objective oI Buddhism. In Iact, beings are
propelled into these realms because oI the delusion that the body is the
source oI suIIering and a desire to be without body. Beings remain in
this state Ior an incredibly long time but they are unable to hear the
Dhamma or see a Buddha, so they do not improve themselves. Once
their kammic Iorce expires, they return to samsra.
Page 94
Appendix I: Mental States
Fine-material
Sphere
15 Mental States
Immaterial
Sphere
12 Mental States
Supramundane
8 Mental States
Sense
Sphere
54 Mental States
89 Mental States
Unwholesome (12)
Rootless (18)
BeautiIul (24)
Wholesome (5)
Resultant (5)
Eunctional (5)
Wholesome (4)
Resultant (4)
Eunctional (4)
Wholesome (4)
Resultant (4)

Sense Sphere (Kmvacara)
Unwholesome (Akusala)
Greed Rooted (Lobha Mla)
1. Unprompted, associated with wrong view,
with pleasant Ieeling
Javana
2. Prompted, associated with wrong view,
with pleasant Ieeling
Javana
3. Unprompted, not associated with wrong view,
with pleasant Ieeling
Javana
4. Prompted, not associated with wrong view,
with pleasant Ieeling
Javana
5. Unprompted, associated with wrong view,
with indiIIerent Ieeling
Javana
6. Prompted, associated with wrong view,
with indiIIerent Ieeling
Javana
7. Unprompted, not associated with wrong view,
with indiIIerent Ieeling
Javana
8. Prompted, not associated with wrong view,
with indiIIerent Ieeling
Javana

Hatred Rooted (Dosa Mla)
9. Unprompted, associated with ill-will,
with unpleasant Ieeling
Javana
10. Prompted, associated with ill-will,
with unpleasant Ieeling
Javana

Delusion Rooted (Moha Mla)
11. Associated with doubt, with indiIIerent Ieeling
Javana
12. Associated with restlessness, with indiIIerent Ieeling
Javana
Page 95
Rootless (Ahetuka)
Unwholesome Resultant (Akusala Vipka)
13. Eye Consciousness with indiIIerent Ieeling
Sense-door
14. Ear Consciousness with indiIIerent Ieeling
Sense-door
15. Nose Consciousness with indiIIerent Ieeling
Sense-door
16. Tongue Consciousness with indiIIerent Ieeling
Sense-door
17. Body Consciousness with painIul Ieeling
Sense-door
18. Receiving Consciousness
with indiIIerent Ieeling
Receiving
19. Investigating Consciousness
with indiIIerent Ieeling
Investigating,
Bhavanga
42

Registration

Wholesome Resultant (Kusala Vipka)
20. Eye Consciousness with indiIIerent Ieeling
Sense-door
21. Ear Consciousness with indiIIerent Ieeling
Sense-door
22. Nose Consciousness with indiIIerent Ieeling
Sense-door
23. Tongue Consciousness with indiIIerent Ieeling
Sense-door
24. Body Consciousness with pleasurable Ieeling
Sense-door
25. Receiving Consciousness
with indiIIerent Ieeling
Receiving
26. Investigating Consciousness
with pleasant Ieeling
Investigating,
Registration
27. Investigating Consciousness
with indiIIerent Ieeling
Investigating,
Bhavanga
43
,
Registration

Eunctional (Kiriya)
28. Eive-sense-door adverting consciousness,
with indiIIerent Ieeling
Sense-door
Adverting
29. Mind-door adverting consciousness,
with indiIIerent Ieeling
Mind-door
Adverting,
Determining
30. Smile producing consciousness oI an Arahant,
with pleasant Ieeling
Javana
(Arahant only)

42
Bhavanga Ior beings in Iour woeIul planes
43
Bhavanga Ior disabled humans
Page 96
Beautiful (Sobhana)
Sense Sphere Wholesome (Mahkusala)
31. Unprompted, associated with wisdom,
with pleasant Ieeling
Javana
32. Prompted, associated with wisdom,
with pleasant Ieeling
Javana
33. Unprompted, not associated with wisdom,
with pleasant Ieeling
Javana
34. Prompted, not associated with wisdom,
with pleasant Ieeling
Javana
35. Unprompted, associated with wisdom,
with indiIIerent Ieeling
Javana
36. Prompted, associated with wisdom,
with indiIIerent Ieeling
Javana
37. Unprompted, not associated with wisdom,
with indiIIerent Ieeling
Javana
38. Prompted, not associated with wisdom,
with indiIIerent Ieeling
Javana

Sense Sphere Resultant (Mahvipka)
39. Unprompted, associated with wisdom,
with pleasant Ieeling
Bhavanga
44
,
Registration
40. Prompted, associated with wisdom,
with pleasant Ieeling
Bhavanga
44
,
Registration
41. Unprompted, not associated with wisdom,
with pleasant Ieeling
Bhavanga
45
,
Registration
42. Prompted, not associated with wisdom,
with pleasant Ieeling
Bhavanga
45
,
Registration
43. Unprompted, associated with wisdom,
with indiIIerent Ieeling
Bhavanga
44
,
Registration
44. Prompted, associated with wisdom,
with indiIIerent Ieeling
Bhavanga
44
,
Registration
45. Unprompted, not associated with wisdom,
with indiIIerent Ieeling
Bhavanga
45
,
Registration
46. Prompted, not associated with wisdom,
with indiIIerent Ieeling
Bhavanga
45
,
Registration

44
Three roots; some humans and some Gods (able to achieve jhna, path)
45
Two roots; some humans and some Gods (unable to achieve jhna, path)
Page 97
Sense Sphere Eunctional (Mahkiriya)
47. Unprompted, associated with wisdom,
with pleasant Ieeling
Javana
(Arahant only)
48. Prompted, associated with wisdom,
with pleasant Ieeling
Javana
(Arahant only)
49. Unprompted, not associated with wisdom,
with pleasant Ieeling
Javana
(Arahant only)
50. Prompted, not associated with wisdom,
with pleasant Ieeling
Javana
(Arahant only)
51. Unprompted, associated with wisdom,
with indiIIerent Ieeling
Javana
(Arahant only)
52. Prompted, associated with wisdom,
with indiIIerent Ieeling
Javana
(Arahant only)
53. Unprompted, not associated with wisdom,
with indiIIerent Ieeling
Javana
(Arahant only)
54. Prompted, not associated with wisdom,
with indiIIerent Ieeling
Javana
(Arahant only)
Fine Material Sphere (Rpavacara)
Eine Material Sphere Wholesome (Rpavacara Kusala)
46

55. Associated with 1
st
Jhna (initial application,
sustained application, zest, happiness,
one-pointeness)
Javana
56. Associated with 2
nd
Jhna (sustained application,
zest, happiness, one-pointeness)
Javana
57. Associated with 3
rd
Jhna (zest, happiness,
one-pointeness)
Javana
58. Associated with 4
th
Jhna (happiness,
one-pointeness)
Javana
59. Associated with 5
th
Jhna (equanimity,
one-pointeness)
Javana





46
Note that the Sutta method oI counting jhna has Iour divisions; according to the
Sutta method oI counting, the meditator eliminates both initial application and
sustained application at once and so the 2nd Jhna (Sutta method) is equivalent to
the 3rd Jhna (Abhidhamma method).
Page 98
Eine Material Sphere Resultant (Rpavacara Vipka)
60. Associated with 1
st
Jhna (initial application,
sustained application, zest, happiness,
one-pointeness)
Bhavanga
47

61. Associated with 2
nd
Jhna (sustained application,
zest, happiness, one-pointeness)
Bhavanga
47

62. Associated with 3
rd
Jhna (zest, happiness,
one-pointeness)
Bhavanga
47

63. Associated with 4
th
Jhna (happiness,
one-pointeness)
Bhavanga
47

64. Associated with 5
th
Jhna (equanimity,
one-pointeness)
Bhavanga
47


Eine Material Sphere Eunctional (Rpavacara Kiriya)
65. Associated with 1
st
Jhna (initial application,
sustained application, zest, happiness,
one-pointeness)
Javana
(Arahant only)
66. Associated with 2
nd
Jhna (sustained application,
zest, happiness, one-pointeness)
Javana
(Arahant only)
67. Associated with 3
rd
Jhna (zest, happiness,
one-pointeness)
Javana
(Arahant only)
68. Associated with 4
th
Jhna (happiness,
one-pointeness)
Javana
(Arahant only)
69. Associated with 5
th
Jhna (equanimity,
one-pointeness)
Javana
(Arahant only)
Immaterial Sphere (Arpavacara)
Immaterial Sphere Wholesome (Arpavacara Kusala)
70. Associated with inIinite space
Javana
71. Associated with inIinite consciousness
Javana
72. Associated with nothingness
Javana
73. Associated with neither perception nor
non-perception
Javana


47
Beings born in Eine Material Realms (Rpa-loka)
Page 99
Immaterial Sphere Resultant (Arpavacara Vipka)
74. Associated with inIinite space
Bhavanga
48

75. Associated with inIinite consciousness
Bhavanga
48

76. Associated with nothingness
Bhavanga
48

77. Associated with neither perception nor
non-perception
Bhavanga
48


Immaterial Sphere Eunctional (Arpavacara Kiriya)
78. Associated with inIinite space
Javana
(Arahant only)
79. Associated with inIinite consciousness
Javana
(Arahant only)
80. Associated with nothingness
Javana
(Arahant only)
81. Associated with neither perception nor
non-perception
Javana
(Arahant only)
Supramundane (Lokuttara)
Supramundane Wholesome (Lokuttara Kusala)
82. Sotapanna (Stream-entry) path
Path
83. Sakadagami (Once-returning) path
Path
84. Anagami (Non-returning) path
Path
85. Arahant path
Path

Supramundane Resultant (Lokuttara Vipka)
86. Sotapanna (Stream-entry) Iruit
Fruit
87. Sakadagami (Once-returning) Iruit
Fruit
88. Anagami (Non-returning) Iruit
Fruit
89. Arahant Iruit
Fruit

Using the extended method oI counting, each path and Iruit mental
state is Iurther divided according to jhna. Eor example the one,
'Sotapanna path mental state is replaced with Iive mental states
(Sotapanna path with 1
st
jhna, Sotapanna path with 2
nd
jhna,
Sotapanna path with 3
rd
jhna, Sotapanna path with 4
th
jhna,
Sotapanna path with 5
th
jhna). This gives a total oI 121 mental states.


48
Beings born in Immaterial Realms (Arpa-loka)
P
a
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1

7 Ethically Variable Universals
Initial Application
Sustained Application
Determination
Energy
Enthusiasm
Desire
4 Unwholesome Universals
Greed
Wrong View
Conceit
Aversion
Envy
SelIishness
Remorse
Sloth
Torpor
Doubt
19 Wholesome Universals
Abstinence Irom Wrong Speech
Abstinence Irom Wrong Action
Abstinence Irom Wrong Livelihood
Compassion
Sympathetic Joy
Wisdom
2

3

4 5 6 7 8
Greed
Rooted
9 1
0
Hatred
Rooted
1
1
1
2
Delusion
Rooted
1
3

1
4

1
5

1
6
1
7
1
8
1
9
Unwholesome
Resultant
2
0
2
1

2
2

2
3
2
4
2
5
2
6
Wholesome
Resultant
2
7
2
8
2
9
3
0
Eunctional
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Page 101
31
7

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W
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32
33
34
35
36
37
38
S
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S
p
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W
h
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39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
S
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e

S
p
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e
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R
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s
u
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t
a
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t
Sympathetic 1oy and
Compassion never appear
together; a mental state
can have either or none.
Sympathetic 1oy and
Compassion never appear
together; a mental state
can have either or none.
The 3 Abstinences never appear together;
a mental state can have one or none.
The 3 Abstinences never appear together;
a mental state can have one or none.
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
S
e
n
s
e

S
p
h
e
r
e
E
u
n
c
t
i
o
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a
l
55, 60, 65
56, 61, 66
57, 62, 67
58, 63, 68
59, 64, 69
Eine Material Sphere
70 81
Immaterial Sphere

Supramundane mental states (=82 to =89) are not included because there are numerous
permutations of cetasikas involved based on the level of fhna achieved
P
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1

Woeful Planes
0 / 2 Roots
3 Roots
Sotpanna
Sakadgm
Angm
2

3

4 5 6 7 8
Greed
Rooted
9 1
0
Hatred
Rooted
1
1
1
2
Delusion
Rooted
1
3

1
4

1
5

1
6
1
7
1
8
1
9
Unwholesome
Resultant
2
0
2
1

2
2

2
3
2
4
2
5
2
6
Wholesome
Resultant
2
7
2
8
2
9
3
0
Eunctional
Arahant
3 Roots
Sotpanna
Sakadgm
Angm
Arahant
3 Roots
Sotpanna
Sakadgm
Angm
Arahant
S
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Mental States

P
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1
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3

W
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s
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e

Woeful Planes
0 / 2 Roots
3 Roots
Sotpanna
Sakadgm
Angm
3
1

3
8
3
9
4
0
4
1
4
2
4
4
4
5
Sense Sphere
Mental States
4
6
4
7

5
4
5
5

5
9

6
0

6
4
Arahant
3 Roots
Sotpanna
Sakadgm
Angm
Arahant
3 Roots
Sotpanna
Sakadgm
Angm
Arahant
S
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5

6
9
E
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Eine Material Sphere
Mental States
7
0

7
3

7
4

7
7
R
e
s
u
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t
a
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t
7
8

8
1
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u
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Immaterial Sphere
Mental States W
h
o
l
e
s
o
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e

8
2
8
3
8
4
8
5
8
7
8
8
8
9
8
6
Supramundane
Mental States
Eruit Path


Rob Moult it u Cunudiun engineer who hut Rob Moult it u Cunudiun engineer who hut
worhed in kuulu Lumpur, Muluytiu for more worhed in kuulu Lumpur, Muluytiu for more
thun u decude. For the putt few yeurt, Rob thun u decude. For the putt few yeurt, Rob
hut tuught u Iunduy morning Abhidhummu hut tuught u Iunduy morning Abhidhummu
clutt for beginnert ut Brichfieldt clutt for beginnert ut Brichfieldt Muhuuihuru Muhuuihuru, ,
home of home of ven ven. 0r. k. Iri . 0r. k. Iri 0hummunundu 0hummunundu. .
Ihe muteriul in thit booh wut originully written Ihe muteriul in thit booh wut originully written
ut clutt notet. Rob then reuiewed thete notet ut clutt notet. Rob then reuiewed thete notet
with hit teucher, Brother with hit teucher, Brother Ieo Ieo Ioh Ioh Liung Liung. .
Rob got uuluuble input from hil Rob got uuluuble input from hil Corittine Corittine
und und Htoo Htoo Iint Iint Nuing Nuing. hil reuiewed . hil reuiewed
the muteriul from the pertpectiue of un the muteriul from the pertpectiue of un
interetted interetted leurner, leurner, new to Abhidhummu. new to Abhidhummu.
Htoo Htoo it u teriout ttudent of Abhidhummu, it u teriout ttudent of Abhidhummu,
he commented on muny technicul pointt. he commented on muny technicul pointt.
Rob owet u purticulur debt of grutitude to Rob owet u purticulur debt of grutitude to
Ninu Ninu uun0orhom uun0orhom. Rob hut leurned much from . Rob hut leurned much from
Ninu Ninu' 't booht und on t booht und on- -line ditcuttiont ut purt of line ditcuttiont ut purt of
0hummuItudy0roup 0hummuItudy0roup. .
leute tend your feedbuch to leute tend your feedbuch to
robmoult0hotmuil.com robmoult0hotmuil.com
Ihe urtworh on the couer wut creuted by Richurd Copelund Ihe urtworh on the couer wut creuted by Richurd Copelund